Regulatory Compliance Lessons from The Merchant of Venice

Mercy, however, is not what saves Antonio. When Shylock wins the case, Portia outlines the punishment: a pound of flesh, which Shylock may cut from Antonio’s breast. As the triumphant Shylock moves to begin his gruesome task, Portia invokes the letter of the law and saves Antonio by pointing out that the agreement of Shylock does not account for blood, and therefore, Shylock can remove his pound of flesh, but if he spills a drop of blood, all of his land and goods will be confiscated by the stat