The Merchant of Venice: Act IV sc i - Portia

Portia: 

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: - A person who is giving mercy and a person who is receiving mercy.

'Tis mightiest in the mightiest: it becomes

The throned monarch better than his crown; - If you give mercy you can be better than the King

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 (King hold a stick) sway Rule of domination which is the King

It is enthroned in the heart of kings

And earthly power doth then show likest Gods strong than earthly power

And earthly power (Power that you can only do on Earth) doth then show likest God's

When mercy seasons justice. Therefore, Jew,

Though justice be thy plea, consider this,

That, in the course of justice, none of us

Should see salvation: we do pray for mercy;

And that same prayer doth teach us all to render

The deeds of mercy. I have spoke thus much

To mitigate the justice of thy plea;

Which if thou follow, this strict court of Venice

Must needs give sentence 'gainst the merchant there.–Portia is saying if the court takes their pound of flesh then they will be committing jai

Find and highlight these techniques in the speech:

Metaphor
Alliteration 

Repetition

Questions:

How does Portia describe mercy? How important and powerful is it?

She describes mercy as "gentle rain from heaven" It is quite powerful because she is saying that mercy should be given to the merchant.
What can one achieve through mercy?

If you give mercy to others one can achieve forgiveness from God. 

How is religion part of this speech? (You need to do some thinking on this one.

Religion is part of this speech because it refers to Jewish people and other religious people who believe in God. Portia says that God would forgive their sins if they were merciful towards others.