What is the meaning of the quality of mercy is not strained?

The quality of mercy is not strained. 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.

Who said the quality of mercy is not strained?

Portia
“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 strained.

What is the famous quote from The Merchant of Venice?

A stage where every man must play a part, And mine a sad one. God made him, and therefore let him pass for a man. I will buy with you, sell with you, talk with you, walk with you, and so following, but I will not eat with you, drink with you, nor pray with you.

Why is The quality of mercy not strained according to Portia?

Being kind and forgiving towards those over whom we have some power is a noble pursuit. Note Shakespeare’s clever use of ‘strained’ here: mercy is ‘not strained’ in that it is doesn’t need to be forced, but nor is it constrained (or, indeed, restrained) in most of us.

What does the quality of Mercy is not strained mean?

“The quality of mercy is not strained” by William Shakespeare describes how mercy, an attribute to God himself, can save a person’s soul and elevate him to the degree of God. In this speech, Portia begs Shylock for showing mercy on Antonio by understanding his situation.

Where does Portia say the quality of Mercy is not strained?

In “The Merchant of Venice,” the central character Portia makes this speech, “The quality of mercy is not strained.” It occurs in Act 4, Scene 1. The plot is set in a Venetian Court of Justice.

Is the quality of Mercy strained in the Merchant of Venice?

The overall speech, “The quality of mercy is not strained” being a part of the play, “The Merchant of Venice,” lacks the poetical elements. There is not a specific rhyme scheme. Only in a few instances, readers can see slant rhymes or internal rhymings.

Is mercy better than the Crown?

It becomes The thronèd monarch better than his crown. But mercy is above this sceptered sway. It is enthronèd in the hearts of kings. It is an attribute to God himself.