REVISE – We do pray for mercy

Choose the correct alternative to complete the text about Portia's role in the play.

As soon as Portia appears in the play, it is clear that she is a woman of ________. She presents herself at the trial disguised as ________.
Initially, Portia calls for Shylock's ________, but, as we can see from the passage, he ignores her pleas. Had Portia imagined this already? It is probable as she soon changes the course of the trial with a ________: Shylock can take a pound of Antonio's flesh but only without shedding a drop of his blood. Also, she shows knowledge of ________ when she states that if someone unjustly accuses a Venetian, his lands and goods are confiscated and half go to the person offended, the other half to the state.
It is a victory for Antonio, but also for ________ characters. Portia, from being simply the rich heiress of Belmont who cannot choose who to marry, turns into a heroine (in disguise), capable of ________.

Complete the text with the words given.

Comparing it to the gentle rain, Portia describes mercy as something that should be given in a natural way without any ________. It is beneficial and life-giving: just as rain nourishes the earth, allowing plants to grow and flourish, mercy ________ both the one who receives it and the one who gives it. It brings relief and ________ to the recipient and elevates the character of the ________. The rain is described as coming 'from heaven' implying a divine source. This connects mercy to a higher power and suggests that it is a ________ quality.

Complete the text with the words given. Then answer the questions below. You can use the final text and the answers to the questions as revision material for your test.

Until the trial, the concept of mercy is largely ________ from The Merchant of Venice. In his powerful speech, 'Hath not a Jew eyes?', Shylock bitterly accuses Christians of being consumed by ________, stating, 'If a Jew wrong a Christian, what is his humility? Revenge.' Shylock's articulation of this desire for justice echoes the Old Testament's principle of 'an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth'
It might seem surprising that Christians, who profess to follow the teachings of the New Testament, demonstrate ________ for revenge. Indeed, the New Testament emphasises mercy and ________ as can be seen in the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5:7), 'Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.'
This is recalled by Portia with her strong appeal for mercy during the trial. She begs Shylock to show ________, and her words stand out in contrast to the general desire for revenge. The scene powerfully highlights the play's central tension between ________ and mercy.

1 Why is it significant that Portia, who is a stranger in Venice, should be the first to speak of the value of mercy?
2 How does she make her speech on mercy powerful?

Imagine you were present at the trial involving Antonio and Shylock and took notes on what happened there, but your notes got mixed up. Put them in the correct order. Write the correct numbers (1-8) in the gaps.

At that point, the lawyer pleads with  Shylock to show mercy. ________
He then concluded that if Shylock insisted on applying the law, the court would have no choice but to rule against Antonio. ________
A young lawyer, whose name was Balthasar, walked into the court and was greeted by the Duke of Venice. ________
The young lawyer acknowledged the unusual nature of his lawsuit but stated that the Venetian law could not prevent Shylock from pursuing it. ________
The Duke, after enquiring if he knew the case, called Antonio and Shylock, the two parties involved. ________
I heard the Duke ask if he was sent by Bellario and he confirmed it. ________
Antonio himself confirmed the contract he had with Shylock. ________
When Shylock asked to know why, the lawyer delivered a powerful speech on the nature of mercy. ________