Shakespeare monologue speech Portia

TUESDAY, MARCH 15, 2011

The Merchant of Venice: Act IV sc i - Portia

Summary: In this scene Portia is pleading to Shylock for the life of Antonio. Antonio is responsible for the debt that Bassanio owes Shylock. Bassanio is Portia's partner and needed money to be with Portia. When Bassanio borrowed the money the punishment for failure to pay back the money on time was 'a pound of flesh' which would cause certain death. Bassanio didn't pay the debt back in time and now Shylock wants his 'pound of flesh' from Antonio. Portia is trying to get Shylock to change his mind and see the virtue of being merciful.


Find and highlight these techniques in the speech:
metaphor
alliteration
repetition


Answer the following questions using quotes where applicable:
How does Portia describe mercy? How important and powerful is it?

She describes it like it's a beautiful of heaven and it's power is to the importance 

is of the most powerful king's heart, "But mercy is above this sceptred sway;
It is enthroned in the hearts of kings,"

What can one achieve through mercy?

Through mercy, one will be blessed by God, "It is an attribute to God himself;"

How is religion part of this speech? (You need to do some thinking on this one.)

Religion is the key role in this speech as Portia speaks in Pathos and it's a spiritual

speech. By likening forgiveness to the power of God, she gives forgiveness power;

something all men really want and it's an effective technique, "It is an attribute to God himself;
And earthly power doth then show likest God's When mercy seasons justice." Earning such 

power means giving forgiveness
PORTIA

The quality of mercy is not strain'd,
It droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven - meatphor
Upon the place beneath: it is twice blest
 - (person who revieves mercy is blessed and person who gives mercy is blessed) 

It blesseth him that gives and him that takes:
'Tis mightiest in the mightiest - connected to God, being remembered: it becomes
The throned monarch better than his crown;
His sceptre shows the force of temporal - temporary power,
The attribute to awe and majesty,
Wherein doth sit the dread and fear of kings;
But mercy is above this Alliteration - sceptred sway - rule or domination, king;
It is enthroned in the hearts of kings,
It is an attribute to God himself;

          ^^repition

And earthly power - symbolism doth then show likest God's
When mercy seasons justice - make 'taste' better. Therefore, Jew,
Though justice be thy plea, consider this,
That, in the course of justice, none of us
Should see salvation - alliteration : 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 - poud of flesh = murder = jail.

 ^^religious!!