Portia is the heroine in the Merchant of Venice which is one of the best plays of Shakespear. She is the most intellectual character in the play. In the trial scene Shylock is adamant to take one pound flesh from the body of Antonio according to the bond signed by Antonio. Portia is pleading his case. She tries to calm down Shylock and requests him to show mercy on Antonio. She also tells him the characteristics of mercy. Her views on mercy are given below in short. She says that mercy is the noble virtue of human heart. It naturally comes in the heart of a man like gentle rain. Mercy gives pleasure to the giver of mercy as well as to the receiver. It is a quality of God Himself. Then she compares mercy with the power of a king. She says that it is greater than the crown of a king. The king is forgotten after his death but a merciful man is remembered and honoured even after his death. Thus Portia tried to prove that mercy is Divine and the person who shows mercy becomes like God. She requested Shylock to forgive the debt of Antonio and be merciful towards him because mercy is the soul of justice. But Shylock did not move.
