Merchant of Venice by William Shakespeare Essay

benevolence is compassionate manipulation, while justice is the administration of constabulary. rightness may not necessary include lenience.Mercy is natural. Portia says that the quality of mercy is not st precipitateed, it is not a forced effort provided something that single already possesses. Mercy set upnot be forced by anyone it is something that one must come up within himself. Like how gentle rain cannot be created artificially, it is sincere.Mercy also benefits the merciful. Portia says that earth power doth then take the stand likest immortals when mercy seasons justice, implying that man can notwithstanding become like God when he is merciful.Mercy is something that is powerful. Portia says, scepters shows the force of temporary powerbut mercy is above this sceptered sway, 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 ou r sins, and in the course of justice no(prenominal) of us should see salvation. Only with the mercy of God would they be delivered.Mercy is reciprocal, and twice blest, bringing good tidings to some(prenominal) him that gives and him that takes.Portia says that mercy is divine, as it droppethfrom heaven and an attribute to God himself. Mercy is a heavenly quality, a sacred virtue and he who has this characteristic becomes likest God. It is like gentle rain from heaven.Mercy is fair treatment to others. For example, the Duke asks Shylock to forgive a moiety of the principal, sympathising with Antonio as he has bewildered money in his wrecked investments.jurist is strict and condemning, as the place where justice is practised isdescribed as the strict salute of Venice. Portia asks Shylock to mitigatethy plea, exemplifying how justice is indeed harsh.Justice is earth-bound, dispensed and followed by Man. No power in Venice can misrepresent justice, meaning that justice can be chan ged by heavens mercy.Justice is something that follows laws strictly, and is blind. Even as Shylock says, What judgment shall I fear, doing no wrong, he emphasizes how justice is strictly based on laws, as he has nothing to fear despite plotting against Antonios 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, it is his humour, as he has lost three thousand ducats in the deal.Justice is inflexible. As Portia states, there is no power in Venice that can alter a decree open up, 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 mercy seasons justice. Too frequently mercy spoils justice, as it will thus become too lenient, but without mercy, justice is bland.