January 25, 2012- Does Compassion Exist?

In Act IV scene i, Antonio and Shylock go to court to settle their bond. Portia, who disguises herself as Balthazar, replaces the lawyer the Duke originally calls for, and she begins to inquire that Shylock should give up his bond. She asks Shylock to be merciful, and he demands “on what compulsion” must he become compassionate (Shakespeare IV.i.179). She begins by saying, “mercy is not strained,” so that Shylock is aware that she is not ordering him to be merciful (Shakespeare IV.i.180). She is trying to arouse any humane and sympathetic feelings he may possess to persuade him to acknowledge his humanity. Her use of “strained” reveals that mercy is not forced. She then says, “It droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven Upon the earth beneath” (Shakespeare IV.i.181-182). Her use of a simile compares mercy to rain to emphasize that mercy comes naturally. Its origination, like rain, is “from heaven,” and therefore she associates compassion to be a godly characteristic. By describing mercy to be natural and god-like at the same time, she attempts to flatter Shylock so that he no longer demands his bond. However, her blandishments heighten rather than mitigate Shylock’s demand because the more suppressed Shylock feels, the more his desire for equality will grow.