WebShakespeare uses many elements that affect the way Portia’s speech is written. The play takes place in Venice, Italy and Belmont, Portia’s home, during the fourteenth century. The main characters are Antonio, Portia, Bassanio, and Shylock. Antonio is a merchant and fair money‐ lender, but he currently is over invested. Bassiano is in debt. WebPortia's famous speech towards the end of the play is much more urgent than the gentle images let on. She holds a man's life in her hands, so her words are not only beautiful but important....

Mercy in Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice

WebPortia's failure to be explicit about the formal "Subject" of mercy. The Subject was logically something to which something else was attached, and Shakespeare clearly thought of mercy as being attached to some form of power. But he was not precise about the nature of this power and identi-fied it only by implication throughout Portia's speech. WebPortia’s Speech about Mercy. The quality of mercy is not strained; It droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven. It drops like the gentle rain from heaven. Upon the place beneath; it is twice blest; On the place below; it is blessed twice. It blesseth him that gives, and him that takes; It blesses him that gives and him that takes. canned meat for survival

PORTIA

WebPortia replies that “The quality of mercy is not strain'd.” It is not given under “compulsion” but comes as naturally as “gentle rain from heaven.” She associates mercy with both nature and... WebPortia’s Speech about Mercy. The quality of mercy is not strained; It droppeth as the … WebSummary and Analysis Act IV: Scene 1. Summary. The trial of Antonio in a Venetian court of justice begins. The Duke of Venice warns Antonio, the defendant, that the plaintiff (Shylock) is "a stony adversary . . . uncapable of pity . . . [and] void . . . of mercy." Antonio declares that he is ready to suffer quietly. canned meat from the supermarket