Mercy Seasons Justice: Eating and Equity in The Merchant of Venice A talk by Simon Miles to the Francis Bacon Society delivered on 1st March 2019. This presentation investigates the relationship between Sir Francis Bacon and The Merchant of Venice. It explores the influence on the play (and vice versa) of the contemporary legal conflict between common law and equity law, and how this relates to persistent tropes of dining and eating in the work. Simon Miles’ talk shows how a consideration of Francis Bacon’s contribution to the play illuminates the key themes of this Elizabethan drama, and sheds valuable light on its origins.
