Saturday, September 14, 2019
Merchant of Venice by William Shakespeare Essay
Mercy is compassionate treatment, while justice is the administration of law. Justice may not necessary include mercy. Mercy is natural. Portia says that the ââ¬Å"quality of mercy is not strainedâ⬠, it is not a forced effort but something that one already possesses. Mercy cannot be forced by anyone; it is something that one must come up within himself. Like how ââ¬Å"gentle rainâ⬠cannot be created artificially, it is sincere. Mercy also benefits the merciful. Portia says that ââ¬Å"earth power doth then show likest Godââ¬â¢s when mercy seasons justiceâ⬠, implying that man can only become like God when he is merciful. Mercy is something that is powerful. Portia says, ââ¬Å"scepter[s] shows the force of temporal powerâ⬠¦but mercy is above this sceptered swayâ⬠, symbolizing that mercy is more powerful than mere symbols of earthly power, i.e. the crown and the scepter. Mercy is forgiving. Portia points out that God is merciful, and forgives us for our sins, and ââ¬Å"in the course of justice none of us should see salvationâ⬠. Only with the mercy of God would they be delivered. Mercy is reciprocal, and ââ¬Å"twice blestâ⬠, bringing good tidings to both ââ¬Å"him that gives and him that takesâ⬠. Portia says that mercy is divine, as it ââ¬Å"droppethâ⬠¦from heavenâ⬠and ââ¬Å"an attribute to God himselfâ⬠. Mercy is a heavenly quality, a sacred virtue and he who has this characteristic becomes ââ¬Å"likest Godâ⬠. It is like ââ¬Å"gentle rain from heavenâ⬠. Mercy is fair treatment to others. For example, the Duke asks Shylock to ââ¬Å"forgive a moiety of the principalâ⬠, sympathising with Antonio as he has lost money in his wrecked investments. Justice is strict and condemning, as the place where justice is practised isà described as the ââ¬Å"strict court of Veniceâ⬠. Portia asks Shylock to ââ¬Å"mitigateâ⬠¦thy pleaâ⬠, exemplifying how justice is indeed harsh. Justice is earth-bound, dispensed and followed by Man. ââ¬Å"No power in Veniceâ⬠can alter justice, meaning that justice can be changed by heavenââ¬â¢s mercy. Justice is something that follows laws strictly, and is blind. Even as Shylock says, ââ¬Å"What judgment shall I fear, doing no wrong,â⬠he emphasizes how justice is strictly based on laws, as he has nothing to fear despite plotting against Antonioââ¬â¢s life as the law says he is entitled to. Justice is one-sided, and that it clearly defines a loser and winner. Shylock, who thinks that justice and mercy cannot be reconciled, decides the fate of Antonio, saying, ââ¬Å"it is his humourâ⬠, as he has lost three thousand ducats in the deal. Justice is inflexible. As Portia states, ââ¬Å"there is no power in Venice that can alter a decree establishedâ⬠, she is also hinting to Shylock that heavenly mercy is the only thing that can change justice, and it is unchangeable otherwise. Mercy is something that enhances justice, and ââ¬Å"mercy seasons justiceâ⬠. Too much mercy spoils justice, as it will thus become too lenient, but without mercy, justice is bland.
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