Table of ContentsIntroductionExamples of Mercy in The Merchant of VeniceConclusionIntroductionHere in Canada we do not have the death penalty as a punishment. Our justice system shows mercy even to the worst criminals by sparing their lives. Yet even today, in some countries like the United States, the death penalty still exists in some cases. It is truly shocking that we still do not show mercy, even though it has been preached to us for a very long time. Even in Shakespeare's time, it was known to show mercy. The poet gives an example of this in his great play The Merchant of Venice. One could go so far as to say that mercy is the main theme of the play. He repeatedly shows his readers that to receive mercy, one must show mercy to others. This is demonstrated by Lancelot who asks his father for forgiveness, by Portia and Nerissa who forgive their husbands after giving away their rings, and by Shylock who receives no mercy because he shows none to Antonio. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get the original essay Examples of Mercy in The Merchant of Venice The first example of the importance of mercy in this play occurs when Lancelot asks his father for forgiveness. His father, Gobbo, is sand blind and therefore does not even recognize his own son when he passes him in the streets of Venice. Seeing this, Lancelot decides to take advantage of the situation by playing with his father. When Gobbo asks him for directions to his son's home, Lancelot deceives his father and makes him believe that he is dead. This has a detrimental impact on the old man; so, right after making this comment, Lancelot kneels before his father and says, “Give me your blessing…” (Shakespeare 82). This shows that even though Lancelot is simply joking with his father, he feels obligated to ask his father for forgiveness. Gobbo then continues to help his son get a job with Bassanio, and their relationship is stronger than ever because he shows his son mercy. His actions in this situation clearly show that no matter how small the offense, the offended person must be asked for forgiveness, so that they can receive mercy from him in the future. The second example of the importance of mercy is when Portia and Nerissa forgive their husbands after they come home without their rings. When they got married, they both gave their husbands Bassanio and Gratiano rings and made them swear never to lose them. However, when the two women arrive in Venice dressed as lawyers, they receive the rings as a gift to save Antonio. At this point, neither Bassanio nor Gratiano knows that these lawyers are their wives, but they still give them the rings they have sworn to keep forever. When they return to Belmont, their wives are waiting for them so they can scold them for this reason, but then they forgive their husbands and return the rings. Portia then said to Nerissa, “Give him this and bid him keep it better than the other” (Shakespeare 45). This demonstrates that no matter how important it is to them that the men keep these rings, they show mercy by forgiving them and returning the rings to them. Ultimately, Portia and Nerissa are rewarded for this act of mercy by restoring their relationships with their husbands, and they go on to live a wonderful life together. The third example of the importance of mercy is when Shylock offers no mercy to Antonio, but expects mercy in return when he finds himself in a.”