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Mercy Poem Summary and Analysis

"Mercy" by William Shakespeare is a sonnet that highlights the significance of mercy and forgiveness, portraying it as a virtue that benefits both the giver and receiver. The poem contrasts mercy with symbols of earthly power, like the crown and sceptre, asserting that true nobility lies in compassion. Ultimately, it emphasizes that mercy enhances justice and reflects divine qualities in human relationships.

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M.BASHIR LONE
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87 views3 pages

Mercy Poem Summary and Analysis

"Mercy" by William Shakespeare is a sonnet that highlights the significance of mercy and forgiveness, portraying it as a virtue that benefits both the giver and receiver. The poem contrasts mercy with symbols of earthly power, like the crown and sceptre, asserting that true nobility lies in compassion. Ultimately, it emphasizes that mercy enhances justice and reflects divine qualities in human relationships.

Uploaded by

M.BASHIR LONE
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Sabir Abdullah public school tral

Notes of poem (mercy)

Mercy | Poem 6 | (William Shakespeare)

Short Summary
"Mercy" by William Shakespeare is a sonnet that explores the
concept of mercy and forgiveness. The speaker begins by
acknowledging the virtue of mercy, describing it as a quality that
is twice blessed: it blesses both the one who gives it and the one
who receives it. The speaker then contrasts mercy with other
qualities, such as the sceptre (a symbol of power) and the crown (a
symbol of authority), suggesting that mercy is even more powerful
and noble. The poem concludes with the speaker expressing the
hope that they will receive mercy from others, just as they have
shown mercy in the past. Overall, "Mercy" emphasizes the
importance of compassion, forgiveness, and empathy in human
relationships.

THINKING ABOUT THE POEM

Q1. Where does the quality of the mercy come from? Who are blessed by it?

Ans. The quality of the mercy come from heaven and takes a place in the heart

of that person who deserves it. It is blessed on the people who give it and on

those who take it.


Q2. How is mercy better than the crown of the king?

Ans. Mercy is better than the crown of the king because the king is crowned

only on earth to show his mighty power but the mercy takes place in the heart

of kings and comes from heaven with the mightiest power.

Q3. What does the sceptre stand for? How does it affect the kings?

Ans. “Sceptre” stands for royal wand or authority used by kings to show their

earthly power while punishing the culprits. It makes the king proud or dreadful

on earth and keeps them away from the mercy.

Q4. When does the earthly power look like God’s power?

Ans. When the mercy is enthroned in the hearts of kings while punishing the

culprits using sceptre, then the earthly powers look like God’s power.

Q5. How is mercy alone the “sceptred sway”?

Ans. Mercy comes from heaven and when it lies in the heart of kings, it is

‘sceptred sway’ above because God likes mercy than punishment.

Q6. What happens when mercy seasons justice?

Ans. When mercy seasons justice then the earthly power looks like God’s itself

because justice is the symbol of mercy and mercy brings happiness.


LANGUAGE WORK

a) Find out the similes and/or metaphors in the poem.

Ans. Some of them found in the poem are; gentle rain, sceptre, doth earthly

power.

b) Find out poetical words in the poem and also write their names;

Ans. Strain’d means- forced

Droppeth means- drops descend

Tis means- this

Blesseth means- blesses or bless

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