The poem- Quality Of Mercy, is written by William Shakespeare. It is an extract poem or dialogue of the character-Portia in the play “The Merchant of Venice”. Portia is one of the main characters in the play. She presents mercy as the greatest virtue of all in the trail scene of the play.
According to Portia the quality of mercy is not strained and it drops down from heaven as gentle as rain to the earth. Portia compares mercy to the gentle rain that falls from heaven to the ground. It is divine and blessed twice, both by the giver and by the taker. It is the most powerful of all virtues and enhances the glory of a kings more than their crowns. It is the
mightiest of all the human virtues.
Portia argues that kings are more important than their crowns. She says scepter shows only the force of temporal power which is only a result of awe and royal power. The sceptre of a monarch is a symbol of worldly power. It controls people through fear.
It is full of dread and fear of kings. But the quality of mercy is above that scepter power. The quality of mercy should be enthroned in the hearts of kings as it is a symbol of God. Mercy is divine and has its seat in the hearts of kings. When the quality of mercy seasons justice, then the earthly power looks like divine power or godly power.