Precedent

An earlier decision or action that can be used as an example in deciding later cases.

A previous decision that can guide later decisions. Portia argues that changing an established law would create a dangerous example for future cases.

Bassanio asks Portia to bend the law to save Antonio. She refuses, arguing that an exception would establish a dangerous precedent. Shylock celebrates her apparent support: “A Daniel come to judgment! yea, a Daniel!”

An earlier decision that can guide later decisions in similar cases.

Identify the speaker and situation before analysing a quotation. Sebastian, not Antonio, says ‘Thy case, dear friend, / Shall be my precedent’.

An earlier action or case treated as a model or justification for a later one.

An earlier action or case used as a model or justification for a later one.

An earlier event or action used as a model or justification for a later one.

Sebastian agrees: “Thy case, dear friend, / Shall be my precedent” (Act 2 Scene 1). A precedent is a previous action used as a model. Antonio’s successful usurpation becomes Sebastian’s justification for repeating it.

An earlier action or example used to justify or guide a later one.

An earlier legal decision that can guide later decisions in similar cases.

An earlier decision that provides an example for deciding similar cases in future.

Bassanio asks Portia to bend the law to save Antonio. She refuses, arguing that such a decision would establish a dangerous precedent. Shylock celebrates her apparent support: “A Daniel come to judgment! yea, a Daniel!”

An earlier decision that provides an example for later legal decisions.

Portia refuses, saying, “there is no power in Venice / Can alter a decree established:”. She warns that an exception would create a precedent, encouraging further errors. Her response supports the principle that law should not change merely to favour someone powerful or well connected.

Definition

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AQA GCSE English Literature · 8702

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Edexcel GCSE English Literature · 1ET0

OCR GCSE English Literature · J352

Eduqas GCSE English Literature · C720