The Importance of Being a Beacon in Dark Times

Photo by Mike Labrum on Unsplash

“How far that little candle throws its beams! So shines a good deed in a naughty world.”

William Shakespeare, The Merchant of Venice, act v, scene 1

This line is spoken by Portia, the heroine of The Merchant of Venice, a woman who, despite being stuck marrying whoever solves a riddle in her dead father’s will, shows everyone how far brains and compassion can go toward making a better world. Portia (in disguise of course, because Shakespeare loved writing gender-bending plays), uses these words to show the moneylender Shylock the error of his vengeful ways.

Shylock has obtained a bond of a pound of flesh from Antonio if Antonio doesn’t repay a loan to Shylock. Antonio thinks it’s a joke, but Shylock knows that it means certain death for Antonio if he defaults on the loan. Shylock can’t see past his hatred of Antonio, and when Antonio’s ships are lost at sea, the unthinkable happens: Antonio defaults.

Shylock beseeches the Duke to allow him to cut a pound of flesh from Antonio’s chest, but the Duke is unsure of the legality. He calls in a learned judge, who turns out to be Portia in disguise. Portia doesn’t castigate or demean Shylock in the process of educating him; she treats him with respect and allows him to plead his case.

Shylock is giddy, thinking the learned judge is giving him permission to murder Antonio through the technicality of a cruel document. Antonio’s friend, Bassanio, shows up with the money for the loan, as well as three times more, but Shylock only wants his pound of flesh. Portia urges Shylock to be merciful, and in the end, a bit of brilliant examination by Portia causes Shylock to relent. Antonio’s life is saved and Shylock’s bloodlust is quelled.

[I skipped so many good parts of this play in this shorter than reader’s digest summary — if your interest is piqued, check out a live or film version of The Merchant of Venice and watch Portia in action — she’s great!]

Shakespeare, through the character of Portia, shows us the importance of compassion, mercy, and heart-based action, especially when it seems as if all hope is lost. Even though The Merchant of Venice was written over 400 years ago, Portia’s actions feel like they’re relevant today.

Shakespeare invites us not to be overtaken by the turmoil, and there is such sweetness and encouragement in Portia’s observation of the tiny light.

“How far that little candle throws its beams! So shines a good deed in a naughty world.”

What if we offered compassion or mercy to someone from whom we wanted to exact a pound of flesh?

Mental health science says that it can actually improve our well-being.

I’ve written a book called Shakespeare’s Guide to Living the Good Life, which releases on April 15, 2025. Chapter Three is all about compassion and mercy, viewed through the lens of The Merchant of Venice, and includes some interesting studies that show what Shakespeare seemed to know intuitively about the importance of offering compassion and mercy in times of trouble.

Studies show that practicing mercy and compassion activates certain processing systems in the brain that regulate our fight-or-flight response. When a perceived threat is present, if we have practiced connection and compassion, the parasympathetic nervous system kicks in, allowing our bodies to relax. This enhances our ability to feel safe and secure, and allows us to move forward thoughtfully from a neutral place.

Shakespeare shows us that when we cultivate compassion in ourselves, it radiates outward, affecting everyone who gives, receives, or witnesses it. I’ve included some of the scientific citations in the book, as well as some background on Shakespeare and why his life experience made him uniquely suited to offer these nuggets of wisdom through his writing. Feel free to check it out!

Look around and you’ll see lots of people offering compassion and mercy. They’re not seeking approval or accolades; they’re just normal humans caring for each other. When one little candle throws its beams into the darkness, it sheds light where there is confusion, often revealing truth in the process.

In short, it gives us hope.

We all have a choice between acting from the heart or acting out of fear. We also have struggles that can make the choice difficult.

Shakespeare offered us the character of Portia to show the importance of being a beacon in dark times. Four hundred years later, he’s right on time.

The quality of mercy is not strained.

It droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven

Upon the place beneath. It is twice blest:

It blesseth they that give and they that take.

The Merchant of Venice, act iv, scene 1