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The Merchant of Venice

by William Shakespeare

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Portia's praise of mercy and its effect on Shylock

Summary:

Portia's praise of mercy in "The Merchant of Venice" highlights its divine quality, suggesting it benefits both the giver and the receiver. She argues that mercy is more powerful than the king's scepter, as it is an attribute of God himself. Despite her eloquent appeal, Shylock remains unmoved, insisting on the letter of the law and his bond with Antonio.

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In The Merchant of Venice, does Portia's praise of mercy influence Shylock?

Portia's speech about mercy in Act IV, Scene 1 of The Merchant of Venice has two effects on Shylock. The first is to declare that his deeds will stand as they are before God and he will not plead for God's mercy: "My deeds be on my head." The second affect is to compel Shylock to say that no speech will ever sway him from his desire for the letter of the law to be fulfilled: "There is no power in the tongue of man / To alter me: I stay here on my bond."

Portia's Mercy Speech reminds Shylock that mercy is an attribute of God, one that is demonstrated by monarchs (kings and queens). She also reminds him that according to both Christianity and Judaism, mercy is God's salvation from the punishment of inferior human actions. This is when Shylock declares he will let his deeds stand without begging mercy.

Later, after Portia again asks Shylock to show mercy and take "thrice" (three times) the amount due him, allowin that the contract be torn up, Shylock declares that her words--nor anyone else's--will never sway him. He wants justice from the law. Sadly, that is precisely what he gets: no mercy and the full justice of the law.

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In The Merchant of Venice, does Portia's praise of mercy influence Shylock?

In Act IV, Scene 1 of "The Merchant of Venice," Shylock is attempting to get "his pound of flesh" from Antonio.  Antonio owes him the pound of flesh because he put it up as collateral for some money he borrowed from Shylock.  Portia asks Shylock to forgive the debt, telling him that

The quality of mercy is not strain'd,
It droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven
Upon the place beneath. It is twice blest:
It blesseth him that gives and him that takes.

In this case, "strain'd" means forced, so she's telling him that he has to give it freely, because it's the right thing to do and it helps everyone.

It apparently does not have any effect on Shylock because he does not choose to forgive the debt and instead insists that Antonio repay the money.

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