discuss the concept of Mercy as described by portia in the climax of the play answer the following questions.
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The Merchant of Venice is a 16th-century play by William Shakespeare in which a merchant in Venice must default on a large loan provided by a Jewish moneylender. It is believed to have been written between 1596 and 1599. Though classified as a comedy in the First Folio and sharing certain aspects with Shakespeare's other romantic comedies, the play is most remembered for its dramatic scenes, and it is best known for Shylock and the famous "Hath not a Jew eyes?" speech on humanity. Also notable is Portia's speech about "the quality of mercy". Critic Harold Bloom listed it among Shakespeare's great comedies.
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Portia’s speech ‘The Quality of Mercy’ is a famous work of art found in Act IV, Scene One of the play The Merchant of Venice. This play one is one of the famous works by William Shakespeare. In the poem, the protagonist, Portia, explains the value of human mercy to Shylock and why the virtue is very important. According to the speech, mercy is an important human virtue which transcends all worldly powers; it is also divine upon combination with human morality and justice. Through its representation of the Renaissance ethos, this poem puts up a plea for acquisition of liberal values and virtues. According to Portia’s speech, mercy is a form of compassionate treatment and is comparable to justice, which is applied by man as law. However, mercy is expected to be intrinsic and very natural and no one should ever be forced. This makes it sincere in its application. The expectation, according to the poem is for everyone to have mercy since this is the only way one can be like our God, our creator. While justice appeared bound to the earthly system, it condemns unlike mercy.
From the poem, the speaker follows the ‘standard approach’ to ask for Shylock’s mercy. In the process she reveals her own skills by use of methodical mind. This kind of speech and argument is based on a careful process of human reasoning and not emotion. If one, therefore, has mercy, then it will be possible to have godlike powers and status. In the speech, Shylock is deeply concerned with justice while Portia preaches the significance of mercy in human beings.
Although important thing is that, while the speech is well-reasoned and measured, Portia’s ideas nonetheless try to pronounce mercy as the major polarizing issue existing between Christianity and Judaism. For instance, she offers frequent references to what appears divine and appealing. Mercy among human beings emerges as the best virtue for Christians. While one may think that Portia in the speech is simply offering a form of appeal, in retrospect we observe that her speech ends up becoming an ultimatum. By so doing it becomes the final chance through which Shylock can adequately save himself. If he does not do that, then Portia would have the chance to crush all his legal expectations and arguments.
From the poem, the speaker follows the ‘standard approach’ to ask for Shylock’s mercy. In the process she reveals her own skills by use of methodical mind. This kind of speech and argument is based on a careful process of human reasoning and not emotion. If one, therefore, has mercy, then it will be possible to have godlike powers and status. In the speech, Shylock is deeply concerned with justice while Portia preaches the significance of mercy in human beings.
Although important thing is that, while the speech is well-reasoned and measured, Portia’s ideas nonetheless try to pronounce mercy as the major polarizing issue existing between Christianity and Judaism. For instance, she offers frequent references to what appears divine and appealing. Mercy among human beings emerges as the best virtue for Christians. While one may think that Portia in the speech is simply offering a form of appeal, in retrospect we observe that her speech ends up becoming an ultimatum. By so doing it becomes the final chance through which Shylock can adequately save himself. If he does not do that, then Portia would have the chance to crush all his legal expectations and arguments.
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