mercy vs. justice theme
We are made to ponder when and to what extent we think laws should be enforced to the letter, and when, if ever, there might be reason to stay enforcement for reasons of mercy.
Examples
In "The Merchant of Venice" (1598), by the letter of the law Shylock had the right to extract a literal pound of flesh from Antonio who had broken his bond. A legal expert implored Shylock to be merciful yet acknowledged that the law must be upheld and that mercy could not be enforced by the state. Later Shylock was himself brought low by the law, and various characters made a point of being merciful even when the law would have awarded them ruthless satisfaction.
5 total · 3 choice · 2 minor
| Story | Level | Motivation |
|---|---|---|
| as1985e2x07 | choice | The story posits the following social ethical dilemma: Was the condemned felon Eric David Peterson perhaps worthy of clemency after he acquired healing powers and used them selflessly to cure countless people around the prison? |
| play: Measure for Measure (1604) | choice | Angelo was ruthless in executing justice according the letter of the law, and the duke did not approve |
| play: The Merchant of Venice (1598) | choice | by the letter of the law, Shylock deserved his pound of flesh or at least the substantial compensation he was offered - yet because of his ruthless refusal to show leniency he was instead brought low and punished |
| play: Timon of Athens (1606) | minor | Alcibaides pleaded mercy for one of his officers but the senate maintained that justice must be served, and were notably merciless |
| tftc1989e6x01 | minor | The three justices differed in their opinion regarding the propriety of administering justice with some degrees of leniency. |