Mercy is an important theme in The Merchant of Venice. Characters show varying degrees of mercy throughout the play. Portia’s speech comes in act four, scene one, in response to Shylock’s refusal to release Antonio from a life-threatening debt. Shylock asks why he has to be compassionate towards Antonio and if he is under “compulsion” to forgive Antonio of their bond.
Portia’s monologue gives a list of reasons as to why mercy is a...
Mercy is an important theme in The Merchant of Venice. Characters show varying degrees of mercy throughout the play. Portia’s speech comes in act four, scene one, in response to Shylock’s refusal to release Antonio from a life-threatening debt. Shylock asks why he has to be compassionate towards Antonio and if he is under “compulsion” to forgive Antonio of their bond.
Portia’s monologue gives a list of reasons as to why mercy is a positive, powerful act. She begins by noting that mercy is “not strain’d.” No one can be forced to be merciful, for it is as natural and beneficent as soft rain. Not only does it relieve the person who receives the forgiveness, it also helps the forgiver. Portia describes its influence as divine, a quality that the great possess, including God and kings. She argues against Shylock’s plea for justice because “in the course of justice, none of us / Should see salvation.” No one is perfect. Humans imitate God’s divine mercy as they pray for clemency for their sins. Therefore, mercy is a constructive, fair quality that benefits everyone involved.
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