The quality of mercy is not strained.
It droppeth as the gentle rain from heavenUpon the place beneath. It is twice blest:
It blesseth him that gives and him that takes.
Tis mightiest in the mightiest; it becomes
The throned monarch better than his crown.
His scepter shows the force of temporal power,
The attribute to awe and majesty,
Wherein doth sit the dread and fear of kings.
But mercy is above this sceptered sway;
It is enthroned in the hearts of kings;
It is an attribute of God himself;
And earthly power doth then show like God's
When mercy seasons justice.
---William Shakespeare; 1600
(Portia’s speech in Act IV, Scene 1 of The Merchant of Venice)
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| The so-called "Chandos Portrait", once owned by the Duke of Chandros. Painted by John Taylor, c. 1610. National Portrait Gallery, London. |
Portia in this play has disguised herself as a judge to save her husband's friend. Her husband, Bassanio, had gotten money that his friend, Antonio, had borrowed from Shylock so that Bassanio would have the finances to woo and marry Portia. Shylock has a strong hatred of Antonio, due to the insults Antonio has hurled at him. Anti-Semitism appears to be a part of Antonio's rudeness. Antonio agreed to give Shylock a "pound of flesh" (the source of that expression) if he did not repay the loan on time.
Antonio is unable to pay the loan, due to a shipwreck. Shylock goes to court to demand his pound of flesh. This would, of course, kill Antonio. Portia, disguised as the judge, attempts to appeal to Shylock's mercy in the above speech. Shylock does not budge. So, Portia tells Shylock that he can exact his pound of flesh but that he must not take any blood. If any blood is taken, the agreement is voided. Shylock drops his claim and ends up more humiliated than ever.
