Research Question: Investigate the portrayal of legal processes in Shakespeare’s plays, focusing on works like Measure for Measure or The Merchant of Venice. Examine how legal themes reflect societal norms about justice and morality at the time. Utilize legal history as a backdrop for deeper insights into the plays’ conflicts.

Shakespeare’s plays often feature complex legal disputes that reflect contemporary societal concerns regarding justice, morality, and the rule of law. These legal conflicts provide a lens through which Shakespeare critiques the legal systems and social structures of his time. Measure for Measure and The Merchant of Venice are two plays that prominently feature courtroom scenes and legal challenges, offering a nuanced commentary on the nature of justice, mercy, and the power dynamics inherent in legal proceedings.

In Measure for Measure, the central legal dispute revolves around the enforcement of moral laws and the tension between justice and mercy. The play opens with the Duke’s decision to temporarily step down and leave Angelo in charge, a character who is strict and uncompromising in his enforcement of Vienna’s moral laws. Angelo’s enforcement of the law, particularly his decision to execute Claudio for the crime of fornication, serves as the inciting incident. The moral dilemma of whether the law should be applied strictly or with mercy becomes the focal point of the play. Isabella, Claudio’s sister, pleads for his life, making a compelling argument for mercy over legal punishment. The Duke, though in disguise, ultimately uses his position to intervene and resolve the conflict, demonstrating the potential for legal systems to be both just and compassionate. The legal discourse in Measure for Measure explores the conflict between law and morality, suggesting that justice should be tempered with mercy, an idea that aligns with the broader societal concerns about the rigidity of legal systems in Elizabethan England.

In The Merchant of Venice, the legal dispute centers around the contract between Shylock, the Jewish moneylender, and Antonio, the Christian merchant. The play’s courtroom scene is one of the most famous in Shakespeare’s works, where Shylock demands a pound of flesh as stipulated in his contract with Antonio. The contract itself reflects the harsh and impersonal nature of legal agreements, where the written word takes precedence over human compassion or moral considerations. Shylock’s insistence on enforcing the contract to the letter contrasts sharply with the Christian ideals of mercy and forgiveness that are central to the play. The resolution of the legal conflict, in which Portia, disguised as a lawyer, outwits Shylock, is both a triumph of legal acumen and a commentary on the limitations of legal justice when it disregards human dignity.

Both Measure for Measure and The Merchant of Venice explore the limitations of legal systems that prioritize literal interpretations of the law over ethical or moral considerations. In both plays, the characters’ interactions with the law reveal tensions between justice, mercy, and power. The role of legal authority is critiqued as being susceptible to manipulation, as in the case of Shylock’s contractual insistence or Angelo’s abuse of power in Measure for Measure. These plays also suggest that legal resolutions should consider the humanity of the individuals involved, rather than simply applying rigid legal principles.

The legal systems portrayed in these plays reflect Elizabethan legal practices, which were influenced by the principles of common law and the Church’s moral authority. Legal practices during the period were often seen as both a means of social control and a moral force, but there was growing recognition of the need for legal reform. Shakespeare’s treatment of legal issues in his plays reflects these broader societal concerns, using the law as a vehicle for exploring questions of fairness, justice, and the morality of legal systems.

In conclusion, Shakespeare’s portrayal of legal disputes in Measure for Measure and The Merchant of Venice offers a complex critique of justice and morality in the legal systems of his time. The plays reveal how legal disputes can be influenced by power, social status, and personal interests, while also highlighting the need for compassion and mercy within the legal process. Shakespeare’s exploration of legal themes provides valuable insights into the societal attitudes toward justice, law, and morality in Elizabethan England, making his works still relevant for contemporary discussions about law and justice.