ENGLISH LITERATURE (CBSE/UGC NET)

Detailed explanation-1: -"The quality of mercy” is a speech given by Portia in William Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice (Act 4, Scene 1). In the speech, Portia, disguised as a lawyer, begs Shylock to show mercy to Antonio. The speech extols the power of mercy, “an attribute to God Himself.” The quality of mercy is not strain’d.

Detailed explanation-2: -Cultural definitions for The quality of mercy is not strained (2 of 2) A line from the play The Merchant of Venice, by William Shakespeare. Strained means “constrained, ” or “forced”; the speaker is telling Shylock that mercy must be freely given, and is inviting him to show mercy to the title character.

Detailed explanation-3: -Portia has spoken much about mercy to mitigate the justice of Shylock’s plea. It means she has given her best to alleviate the gravity of the case against Antonio. If Shylock remains unmerciful, the court of Venice has to give a sentence against the merchant, Antonio.

Detailed explanation-4: -You can’t force someone to be merciful, they have to do it voluntarily. Portia’s suggesting that she can force Shylock’s hand through legal means, but that he’s not showing mercy if she does that. Mercy has to be shown voluntarily.

Detailed explanation-5: -The Merchant of Venice (1960) directed by Michael Langham. I hold the world but as the world, Gratiano, A stage where every man must play a part, And mine a sad one.