One of the main themes in Merchant of Venice is the concept of justice. It is often difficult to decipher within the play who is being just and who is being unjust. Early modern English perspectives on Jews complicate the issue. In the final court scene especially, readers will likely have differing views on the questions of whether Shylock was justified in seeking the literal fulfillment of his bond, whether judge Portia’s ruling was fair and accurate, and whether Antonio exacted revenge against or showed mercy toward Shylock at the end of the scene.