Mercy | Poem 6 | English 8th | Tulip Series | (William Shakespeare)

Poems – Tulip Series | jandkncert |

Mercy | Poem 6 | English 8th | Tulip Series |
(William Shakespeare)

Mercy

The quality of mercy is not strain'd,

It droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven

Upon the place beneath: it is twice blest;

it blesseth him that gives and him that takes:

"Tis mightiest in the mightiest: it becomes

The throned monarch better than his crown;

His sceptre shows the force of temporal power.

The attribute to awe and majesty.

Wherein doth sit the dread and fear of kings;

But mercy is above this sceptred sway;

It is enthroned in the heart of kings,

It is an attribute to God Himself,

And earthly power doth then show like God's

When mercy seasons justice.

(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 power looks 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

Let’s Talk

We are blessed by the mercy of God in almost all walks of life, and we must be merciful to all who are in need of it, like orphans, the physically challenged, and others. Form groups in the class and discuss.

Answer:

We are truly blessed by the mercy of God in countless ways—through health, family, education, and opportunities in life. Recognizing this, it becomes our duty to show mercy and kindness to those who are less fortunate. For instance, orphans often lack parental care and support; they deserve our empathy, friendship, and help in fulfilling their basic needs. Similarly, physically challenged individuals may face difficulties in daily life that we might not even notice. We should offer them respect, patience, and assistance when needed, not pity.

Being merciful also includes helping the poor, the elderly, and those going through emotional hardships. Mercy is not just about giving material help—it can be as simple as offering a kind word, listening to someone, or standing up for someone’s rights. When we practice mercy, we create a more compassionate, peaceful society where everyone feels valued and cared for.

 

Let’s Write

Write a paragraph (100 - 150 words) on 'Being Merciful Means Being Wealthy'.

Answer:

Being merciful means being wealthy not in terms of money, but in kindness, compassion, and humanity. A person who shows mercy towards others—be it orphans, the poor, the sick, or those in distress—possesses a rich heart. True wealth lies in helping others, sharing their burdens, and spreading happiness. A merciful person creates goodwill and earns love, respect, and prayers from those they help. Material wealth can disappear, but the wealth of mercy and good deeds remains valuable forever. When we are merciful, we not only bring peace to others but also find inner peace and satisfaction ourselves. It reflects strength of character and moral richness. By being merciful, we contribute to building a kind and caring society. Therefore, showing mercy is one of the greatest forms of wealth a person can have in life.