success!

HA! Take that Shylock! You can't out-smart me, the brilliant Portia!

The loop hole I found in Antonio and Shylock's contract was indeed a flaw. I, a mere woman, have spared Antonio's life; an act that was previously believed to be impossible. Thanks to my keen eye for attention to detail, everyone has returned to high spirits and preparations are being made to celebrate later today at the Duke’s estate.

As a result of violating the contract (he did not attempt to cut Antonio but there was no way he could extract the flesh without causing Antonio to bleed, therefore causing the violation), Shylock is required by the law to forfeit his entire fortune to the State. However, before Shylock was taken away, Antonio made a noble request. Knowing full well what would create further pain to the Jew, he asked the Duke to grant him with half of the fortune to give to his friend Lorenzo (the Christian man who Shylock's daughter, Jessica, ran off with). Two other conditions of his request were: for Shylock be baptized as a Christian and to sign a will granting everything under his name to his daughter and her fiancé in the event of his death. The Duke believed these terms were fair, and agreed to grant his requests. In my opinion, Shylock was rightfully punished for his cruel and heartless actions. If he had not been so ignorant and greedy for vengeance, all of this drama would have been avoided and he would have retained his high status, but no. He persisted with his stubbornness and ended up losing everything he had taken such pride in earning. Men can be blinded so easily by their egos.

P.S. The men don't know I was actually the young lawyer, Balthazar. I wonder if they suspect anything of the sort...