18 February 2007

Courtrooms & Playhouses

While thinking about the trial scene in 4.1 of "Merchant" this week & next, keep the following quote from J.P. Satre in mind:

"The law is theater, for at the roots of theater is not merely a religious ceremony, there is also eloquence... The stage is a courtroom in which the case is tried" ('Interview,' 1976; 126-7).

Who does Venice put on trial in 4.1? Is Venice itself--its laws and customs--also on trial? Who do we, as readers, also evaluate and 'try' in the scene and, consequently, in Act 5?

No comments: