What is Justice?
Justice is a moral concept illustrates the idea of administering to people deserved punishment or reward. John Rawls, an American philosopher, can be quoted as saying "Justice is the first virtue of social institutions, as truth is of systems of thought." Studies at University of California, Los Angeles, in 2008, have found that reactions to fairness are hardwired into the human brain and that, "Fairness is activating the same part of the brain that responds to food in rats... This is consistent with the notion that being treated fairly satisfies a basic need."
There are many variations on the concept of Justice, but the basic idea of everyone getting what they deserve carries through.
There are many variations on the concept of Justice, but the basic idea of everyone getting what they deserve carries through.
Justice and Revenge.
Justice and revenge can often be misconstrued as each other, as they appear to both seek similar goals. The difference between them, however, is that in order for true justice to occur, it must be carried out by an impartial third party. Revenge is when someone seeks to pay someone back personally, in response to maltreatment. Justice is when another party carries out judgement on a situation.
Justice is blind.
Justice is often personified as a blindfolded woman with a sword and scales, known as Lady Justice. This personificiation portrays many of the qualities that Justice possesses. Since the 15th century, Lady Justice has often been depicted wearing a blindfold. The blindfold represents the objectivity described above, in that justice is or should be meted out objectively, without fear or favor, regardless of identity, money, power, or weakness. The earliest Roman coins depicted Justitia, the Roman Goddess of Justice, with the sword in one hand and the scale in the other, but interestingly, with her eyes uncovered. Justitia was only commonly represented as "blind" since about the end of the 15th century. The first known depiction of a blinded Lady Justice is Hans Gieng's statue on the Gerechtigkeitsbrunnen (Fountain of Justice) in Berne, made in 1543.
Many sculptures still exist today that leave off the blindfold, for example, on the Old Bailey courthouse in London. The brochures in the courthouse explain that this is because she was not originally blindfolded, and that due to her "maidenly form," which can be considered a portrayal of her impartiality, the blindfold is redundant.
Many sculptures still exist today that leave off the blindfold, for example, on the Old Bailey courthouse in London. The brochures in the courthouse explain that this is because she was not originally blindfolded, and that due to her "maidenly form," which can be considered a portrayal of her impartiality, the blindfold is redundant.
Justice as Portrayed in The Merchant of Venice.
There are several quotes that can be found in Shakespeare's The Merchant Of Venice that relate to this idea's of the qualities of Justice, and also more importantly the way that the characters use Justice, in particular how Shylock manipulates the law for his own gain.
A good example of a quote that relates to one of the more universal facets of Justice is that when deprived of it one feels hard done by, to the point of feeling abused. "Why, thou- loss upon loss!" says Shylock. (3.1.8) "The thief gone with so much, and so much to find the thief; and no satisfaction, no revenge; nor no ill luck stirring but what lights o' my shoulders; no sighs but o' my breathing; no tears but o' my shedding!"
Shylock is genuinely upset in this part of the play. It seems the fact that he has recieved no justice is as upsetting to him as the fact that his daughter has run away from him, and stolen from him. The only justice he can now get is from Antonio, despite the fact that Antonio has nothing to do with what has transpired between himself and Jessica. It is obvious from here on that Shylock will seek justice doggedly until he gets it. His frustration with Antonio joins with his frustration at having to speak out for himself, with no advocate.
Bassanio has another quote that illustrates an idea connected to justice. "In law, what plea so tainted and corrupt But, being season'd with a gracious voice, Obscures the show of evil?" (3.2.5)
Bassanio shows a great deal of wisdom here, saying that ornamentation can be deceiving. Anyone with a sweet voice can manipulate the law and disguise his true intent. This is particularly relevant, as Portia's eloquence will convince the court to impose a merciless sentence on Shylock and leave her looking like the picture of justice. Portia herself points out that justice can be contrary to the greater good of mercy. It should be noted however that Portia twists justice in response to Shylock twisting it first, in that he disguises his revenge as "justice" by forcing the Duke to take responsibility for punishing Antonio.
A good example of a quote that relates to one of the more universal facets of Justice is that when deprived of it one feels hard done by, to the point of feeling abused. "Why, thou- loss upon loss!" says Shylock. (3.1.8) "The thief gone with so much, and so much to find the thief; and no satisfaction, no revenge; nor no ill luck stirring but what lights o' my shoulders; no sighs but o' my breathing; no tears but o' my shedding!"
Shylock is genuinely upset in this part of the play. It seems the fact that he has recieved no justice is as upsetting to him as the fact that his daughter has run away from him, and stolen from him. The only justice he can now get is from Antonio, despite the fact that Antonio has nothing to do with what has transpired between himself and Jessica. It is obvious from here on that Shylock will seek justice doggedly until he gets it. His frustration with Antonio joins with his frustration at having to speak out for himself, with no advocate.
Bassanio has another quote that illustrates an idea connected to justice. "In law, what plea so tainted and corrupt But, being season'd with a gracious voice, Obscures the show of evil?" (3.2.5)
Bassanio shows a great deal of wisdom here, saying that ornamentation can be deceiving. Anyone with a sweet voice can manipulate the law and disguise his true intent. This is particularly relevant, as Portia's eloquence will convince the court to impose a merciless sentence on Shylock and leave her looking like the picture of justice. Portia herself points out that justice can be contrary to the greater good of mercy. It should be noted however that Portia twists justice in response to Shylock twisting it first, in that he disguises his revenge as "justice" by forcing the Duke to take responsibility for punishing Antonio.