The Merchant of Venice

There was much about this play that I really enjoyed. I really liked the themes that are presented in it, the references to religion and this idea of prejudice against people who are different. The idea of mercy vs. justice was probably the one that I reflected on most when reading this play, however. This concept is shown through the conflict of Shylock and the other Christian characters. When Antonio is unable to repay the debt, and they are in court discussing this, the characters all expect Shylock to have mercy. Shylock refuses to do this, and asks what could possibly convince him to do so. Portia then makes this speech in reply to his question:


The quality of mercy is not strained.
It droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven
Upon the place beneath. . . .
. . .
It is enthronèd in the hearts of kings;
It is an attribute to God himself,
And earthly power doth then show likest God’s
When mercy seasons justice. Therefore, Jew,
Though justice be thy plea, consider this:
That in the course of justice none of us
Should see salvation. We do pray for mercy,
And that same prayer doth teach us all to render 
The deeds of mercy.
           (IV.i.179–197)

I think this is one of the most beautiful passages in the play by far. The opening line, which states "the quality of mercy is not strained", to me, made me think about what mercy means to me and what Shakespeare is saying here. It is all encompassing. When something is "strained", I think of a strainer that sifts out the water or whatever it is that isn't needed or wanted. Mercy isn't like that. Mercy allows forgiveness for everything, and it "droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven upon the place beneath". To me, Shakespeare is saying that forgiveness is abounding.

The next few lines in the speech, which say that it is "enthroned in the hearts of kings; it is an attribute to God himself..." until "power doth then show likest God's when mercy seasons justice" are very interesting. It shows a lot about Shylock's character, as well as Portia's. Shakespeare here is emphasizing the Christian belief in a divine which is merciful, and how showing mercy makes one like unto God. Portia's character is using this belief to appeal to Shylock's desire for power. She hopes that this could convince him that mercy is the better way. 

Portia then goes on to point out that even though Shylock is demanding justice, he should recognize that we all need mercy in order to receive salvation. Of course, this is a primary Christian belief and at the time would be seen by Elizabethan audience members as a very anti-Jewish sentiment. Portia points out that because God is merciful, He expects humankind to be merciful to one another. She is then appealing to Shylock as a warning that if he does not render mercy he is in danger of damnation. But, this does not change Shylock's mind.

This speech is most intriguing because it has the illusion of an appeal from Portia, when it in fact turns out to be an ultimatum. She gives him one chance to change his mind and when he doesn't uses his demand to satisfy the law as the way to entrap him in the end.

When reading this, I thought a lot about the different ways this speech could be portrayed when being performed. I felt like it is probably one of the more intense speeches in the play, because it is meant to be a call for Shylock to change his ways and forgive Antonio. The beginning of the speech, I think, should be delivered in a way that sounds thoughtful and emotional, as if Portia is reflecting on mercy and what value it has to her. As it goes on, however, I think there is a change in approach, where she states, "Though justice be thy plea, consider this:" here she switches to trying to make him fear for his own soul, and I think that merits more volume and passion in performance. Or, at least, that is what I envisioned.