T.Y. B. Sc. Sem-VI
Quality Of Mercy
by William Shakespeare
Short Question Answer
1. What is the Mercy compared to in the opening lines of the poem?
Ans. "The Quality Of Mercy" is an extract taken from "The Merchant of Venice" Act-IV Scene-1 of William Shakespeare from famous trail scene where Antonio, a merchant, has defaulted on a loan and ask for pound of Antonio's flesh as per the agreement with Shylock. The Heroin Portia ask for mercy disguised as lawyer.
In the very beginning of the poem Portia compared Mercy with 'gentle rain' dropped from the heaven beneath upon earth which can't be forced. The poet says that mercy's attribute is something along with which every human being is born with but still very few humans intend to adhere very strictly to it since we can only plead for mercy in our authority for the same. Mercy is like rain that falls off the heaven upon the earth after the scorching heat quenches its thirst. Mercy is truly a divine quality. It’s referred to as a double blessing as it always gives pleasure to both the giver as well as the receiver.
2. How is mercy 'mightiest in the mightiest'?
Ans. "The Quality Of Mercy" is an extract taken from "The Merchant of Venice" Act-IV Scene-1 of William Shakespeare from famous trail scene where Antonio, a merchant, has defaulted on a loan and ask for pound of Antonio's flesh as per the agreement with Shylock. The Heroin Portia ask for mercy disguised as lawyer.
Mercy is ' mightiest in the mightiest' because its power is mightier than all the powers that a king can boast of. The Throne, the crown, the scepter are all symbol of power of the king. But all this signs of power lose their importance as the speak of merely earthly power. the earthly power is short lived. Mercy should have its place of prominence in the heart of the king as it makes the king God-like.
3. Where is mercy seated?
Ans. "The Quality Of Mercy" is an extract taken from "The Merchant of Venice" Act-IV Scene-1 of William Shakespeare from famous trail scene where Antonio, a merchant, has defaulted on a loan and ask for pound of Antonio's flesh as per the agreement with Shylock. The Heroin Portia ask for mercy disguised as lawyer.
Mercy is a divine power which make king God-like. It should be seated in the heart of king so with this divinity king would attributes with godly power and made him to be loved by all even when his royal power would lost.
4. Identify the symbols of kingship mention in the extract.
Ans. The Quality of mercy is shown with the example of King and sign of the kingship with can attributes the king a godly power. The symbols of kingship like The Throne, The Crown and The Scepter is mention in the extract to showcase royal power of kingship but this earthly power is short lived and temporary.
5. When is the king most like god?
Ans. When the king attributes with the divine power like god named Mercy than king will be mightier than all earthly temporal power. A king would be loved by his kinsman without having fear of king with his royal power.
6. Explain the central idea in 'The Quality of Mercy'
Ans. The Central idea of the poem is to highlight the importance and power of mercy in the life of human either it is king or any common folk. Quality of Mercy make them diving and godlike with attribution of it in themselves and made more powerful.
7. What are the qualities of mercy?
Ans. 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: 'T is 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 enthronèd 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.
8. Why is mercy is being refferd to as being 'twice blsee'd'?
Ans. It is twice blest: It blesseth him that gives and him that takes. It means that when we are merciful, two people are blessed, the person who receives one's mercy, and oneself, for our hearts are softened and we become blessed by the receiver's gratitude.
9. Where is this extract taken from? Who Speaks it and in what context?
Ans. "The Quality Of Mercy" is an extract taken from "The Merchant of Venice" Act-IV Scene-1 of William Shakespeare from famous trail scene where Antonio, a merchant, has defaulted on a loan and ask for pound of Antonio's flesh as per the agreement with Shylock. The Heroin Portia speak this extract by disguised herself as lawyer, deliver speech pleading for mercy in favor of Antonio.
10. How does mercy suit the 'throned monarch better than his crown'?
Ans. Centex: In these lines the poet says that Portia tries to change the heart of Shylock by an appeal to his sense of mercy. But he is firm on his demand. The poet also says that mercy cannot be forced but it comes in the heart of a man naturally.
Explanation: In this stanza Portia appeals to Shylock to show mercy. The power of mercy is greater than the crown of a king. The king has a sword a worldly power. So the people fear of him and respect him. But they forget him after his death. Mercy is a noble quality. It raises the man higher than all the worldly powers. It makes him immortal. A merciful man is loved and honoured without any force or compulsion. So Shylock should be merciful because mercy is the soul of justice.
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