the state, and he is almost deprived of his life. All this as a punishment for seeking what was legally and rightfully his. Portia did, of course, save her friend, but she also completely destroyed the life (figuratively and almost literally) of someone else. Portia may have thought that, in defending Antonios life, she did him the ultimate favor. However, her actions have other consequences. There was a reason for Shylocks disgust and hatred towards Antonio and his friends, and this surely cemented those feelings not only in his mind but in the minds of all his circle. Her actions may have had beneficial repercussions for Antonio, but they did not contribute to justice and social relations within Venice. Her deed was on a small scale good, but seen in a larger context only contributed to the hatred and strife already present within the society....
