Unlike the others, Portia interacts with Shylock on a level of seriousness uncharacteristic of the Venetian Christians. Her mind makes no distinction between friend or foe, for everyone is equally useful for the implementation of her needs and whims. She is equally deceptive with Shylock as with every other character. In the courtroom scene, she enters with a fa�ade of objectivity, “Which is the merchant here, and which the Jew?” (68). She then deludes Shylock into believing he holds the upper hand by reiterating, “this bond is forfeit; and lawfully by this the Jew may claim a pound of flesh...” (70). Not until she pigeonholes him into a strictly literal interpretation of the terms of the bond does she finally reveal that, “If it be proved against an alien ... [that] he seek the life of any citizen, ... the offender’s life lies in the mercy of the Duke” (87-88). Shylock exits broken in every sense of the term––financially, emotionally, and spiritually. He is not granted even the dignity of a last word.

While the Venetian Christians manipulate their friends for social prestige and lie content in scorning or outright ignoring Shylock as the offensive intruder, Portia incorporates everyone into her world, positioning each person strategically on her chessboard. While the other characters opt to remain oblivious to the “Jewish question,” Portia slyly maneuvers the situation to her own advantage. Using Shylock to represent the “out” group, Shakespeare deftly illustrates the triumph of one approach over another.

       

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