Merchant of Venice

EXPLAIN THE PORTIA'S SPEECH ON MERCY ADRESSING THE SHYLOCK TO LEAVE ANTONIO &TAKE THE MONEY

ACT 4 SCENE -1
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This is a pretty famous speech. Although Portia is anything but merciful to Shylock, her actual speech on mercy is still relevant today. Portia argues that mercy blesses the giver and the receiver:

 

...blesseth him that gives, and him that takes:
'Tis mightiest in the mightiest; it becomes
The throned monarch better than his crown

Portia argues that mercy befits monarch's and people of power because it shows that their power can be tempered with the forgiveness we look for in God. 

It is an attribute to God himself;
And earthly power doth then show likest God's
When mercy seasons justice.