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
'Tis mightiest in the mightiest; it becomes
It is the greatest of all qualities; it suits
The throned monarch better than his crown.
The king better than his crown.
His sceptre shows the force of temporal power,
His staff of office symbolizes his earthly power,
The attribute to awe and majesty,
And the respect that is due to a king,
Wherein doth sit the dread and fear of kings;
And this is where we fear kings;
But mercy is above this sceptred sway;
But mercy is above this power;
It is enthroned in the hearts of kings;
It sits in the hearts of kings;
It is an attribute to God himself;
It is something God has;
And earthly power doth then show likest God's
And we become like God
When mercy seasons justice. Therefore, Jew,
When mercy softens justice. Therefore, Jew,
Though justice be thy plea, consider this:
Though you want justice, think about this:
That in the course of justice none of us
If we just had to depend upon justice
Should see salvation; we do pray for mercy,
None of us would be saved from damnation; we pray for mercy,
And that same prayer doth teach us all to render
And that prayer teaches us all to be
The deeds of mercy. I have spoke thus much
Merciful. I have spoken so much
To mitigate the justice of thy plea,
To soften that part of your suit which asks for pure justice,
Which, if thou follow, this strict court of Venice
If you follow this strict court of Venice
Must needs give sentence 'gainst the merchant there.
We have to give a sentence that condemns the merchant over there.
Instructions
Match the original lines with the modern version.
What does this speech tell us about mercy?
What do we learn about the character of Portia?
What do we learn about justice?
| The quality of mercy is not strained; |
| It droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven |
| Upon 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 sceptre 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 sceptred sway; |
| It is enthroned in the hearts of kings; |
| It is an attribute to God himself; |
| And earthly power doth then show likest God's |
| When mercy seasons justice. Therefore, Jew, |
| Though justice be thy plea, consider this: |
| That in the course of justice none of us |
| Should see salvation; we do pray for mercy, |
| And that same prayer doth teach us all to render |
| The deeds of mercy. I have spoke thus much |
| To mitigate the justice of thy plea, |
| Which, if thou follow, this strict court of Venice |
| Must needs give sentence 'gainst the merchant there. |
| You cannot force someone to be merciful |
| It drops like the gentle rain from heaven |
| On the place below; it is blessed twice |
| It blesses him that gives and him that takes |
| It is the greatest of all qualities; it suits |
| The king better than his crown. |
| His staff of office symbolizes his earthly power, |
| And the respect that is due to a king, |
| And this is where we fear kings; |
| But mercy is above this power; |
| It sits in the hearts of kings; |
| It is something God has; |
| And we become like God |
| When mercy softens justice. Therefore, Jew, |
| Though you want justice, think about this: |
| If we just had to depend upon justice |
| None of us would be saved from damnation; we pray for mercy, |
| And that prayer teaches us all to be |
| Merciful. I have spoken so much |
| To soften that part of your suit which asks for pure justice, |
| If you follow this strict court of Venice |
| We have to give a sentence that condemns the merchant over there. |
Instructions
Match the original lines with the modern version.
What does this speech tell us about mercy?
What do we learn about the character of Portia?
What do we learn about justice?
Published on: 11 Dec 2010
