In To kill a mockingbird by Harper Lee the character Atticus is similar to William Shakespeare's play the Merchant of Venice's character Portia as they both proved to be intelligent. Portia had chosen to represent Antonio, Bassanio’s closest friend, in court. Antonio was in great debt to Shylock and owed him a pound of flesh. Portia tells Shylock Why, this bond is forfeit, /And lawfully by the jew may claim a pound of flesh, to be by him cut off nearest to the merchant's heart (Shakespeare 4.1.228-231). Furthermore, Portia proceeds by manipulating Shylock to take the pound of flesh without any blood spilt in the process, she says if thou dost shed one drop of Christian blood thy lands and goods/ Are by the law of Venice confiscate.
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Mr Ewell had called out Atticus for defending Tom Robinson by calling him a “nigger lover” (Lee 189). Atticus had done his best to prove Toms innocence by presenting to the court the fact that Tom’s left arm was cripple and that Mayella, the women he was accused of raping, was attacked by someone who was left handed. Scout, Atticus's daughter says his left arm was crippled and it was twelve inches shorter than his right I could see that it was no use to him” (158). Atticus had taken the fact that Mr Ewell had a dominant left arm and proved that Tom was clearly not Mayella's attacker. Furthermore, the judge had great trust in Atticus and had personally asked to take on Tom Robinson case hoping that Tom has a fair fight in the case. Atticus explains to Mr Underwood by saying, “ I couldn't let him down, he was innocent and I am going to prove it.” (96). Judge Taylor knew that Atticus was a great lawyer and had wanted him to represent a man that he too felt was innocent. Atticus had intelligently chosen a case that was impossible and made it work, he found a way to use the simple fact of Mr Ewell being left handed and proved that it was not possible for Tom Robinson to create harm with a crippled
Mr Ewell had called out Atticus for defending Tom Robinson by calling him a “nigger lover” (Lee 189). Atticus had done his best to prove Toms innocence by presenting to the court the fact that Tom’s left arm was cripple and that Mayella, the women he was accused of raping, was attacked by someone who was left handed. Scout, Atticus's daughter says his left arm was crippled and it was twelve inches shorter than his right I could see that it was no use to him” (158). Atticus had taken the fact that Mr Ewell had a dominant left arm and proved that Tom was clearly not Mayella's attacker. Furthermore, the judge had great trust in Atticus and had personally asked to take on Tom Robinson case hoping that Tom has a fair fight in the case. Atticus explains to Mr Underwood by saying, “ I couldn't let him down, he was innocent and I am going to prove it.” (96). Judge Taylor knew that Atticus was a great lawyer and had wanted him to represent a man that he too felt was innocent. Atticus had intelligently chosen a case that was impossible and made it work, he found a way to use the simple fact of Mr Ewell being left handed and proved that it was not possible for Tom Robinson to create harm with a crippled