Until this point in the play, Portia has appeared to be little more than a wealthy heiress courted by undesirable suitors. However, the “quality of mercy” speech and the courtroom scene as a whole, offers a view of a much more complex and intelligent character.
Why is it Portia That Delivers the Speech?
Shakespeare could have used any number of characters to deliver this speech, including the Duke, so why does it fall to Portia, who has, until this juncture, had nothing to do with the ‘Shylock’ strand of the plot?
Perhaps the most fundamental reason is that this is how Shakespeare’s source material told the story. However, there are dramatic reasons, too. For example, if one of the Christian merchants had spoken the speech, it would have reduced Shylock’s validity as a worthy antagonist. His great weapon against the Christians is his power with words, subsequently, although Shylock has only 360 lines in the play, they are undoubtedly some of the best.
Moreover, if the Duke had delivered the speech, the play would have been resolved by a deux et machina, which is a valid theatrical device (used by Shakespeare on numerous occasions), but would not build dramatic tension throughout the scene, because an audience would know how the play is to be resolved.
Of course, the use of Portia also allows for cross-dressing, which is a firm favourite with Shakespeare, and the possibility for comedy, because, at the beginning of the scene, an audience is likely to think that Portia’s attempt to be a doctor of laws (the term lawyer was not used at the time) will be a complete cock-up.
The Quality of Mercy is not Strain’d
This speech, like several of Shakespeare’s including “To be or not to be” and “Now is the winter of our discontent”, is very well known, but most people could not quote beyond the first line or two.
The speech demonstrates Portia’s intelligence and boldness, but it perhaps also smacks of naiveté, which is another reason for using her to deliver the speech; the men of the play speak of commerce, spurning their enemies and revenge (all very unmerciful concepts).
Portia begins by using the metaphor of “gentle rain” to describe mercy, she points out that mercy benefits the merciful and those who receive mercy “It blesseth him that gives and him that takes.” It is important to bear in mind that Portia already knows the Venetian law cannot prevent Shylock from taking the pound of flesh, so she describes mercy as a most becoming quality in the powerful “Tis mightiest in the mightiest…”.
The religious section of the speech is interesting, because Shylock’s response to this can, and is often, played in two different ways. On one hand, as a religious man, Shylock could recognize the human quest for salvation and mercy from God and therefore he may be affected by the speech and waver a little in his pursuit of justice. Alternatively, as the Jewish faith places a high value in justice, Shylock could be entirely unaffected by Portia’s words. Shylock’s reaction is, of course, down to the choices of actors and directors.
Either way, like an Elizabethan Perry Mason, Portia delivers a very clever piece of courtroom oratory, which transcends the question of the legality of the bond and looks at a higher state of right and wrong. By the time Portia reaches her closing, “I have said thus much/To mitigate the justice of thy plea…” incredibly, she has managed to deliver a persuasive argument for the immorality of justice.
Learn more about the character of Portia in ‘The Role of Portia in The Merchant of Venice’.
Samantha Markham - Samantha Markham is a professional freelance writer with a particular passion for literary and theatrical subjects.
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