Portia's interpretation of mercy in "The Merchant of Venice" reflects the prevailing Christian views of the Elizabethan era regarding the Old and New Testaments. St. Paul's writings in the New Testament suggest that the Old Testament demands strict compliance with rules and imposes severe penalties on transgressors. In contrast, the New Testament encourages following the spirit rather than the letter of the law, depicting a forgiving God who offers salvation to those who show forgiveness. Thus, when Portia cautions Shylock about his strict adherence to the law devoid of mercy, she advocates for a perspective that Elizabethan Christians would recognize as supportive of Christian values and critical of Jewish principles. This stance highlights the contrast between the rigid, punitive nature of the laws depicted in the Old Testament, which she links to Jewish legalism, and the compassionate, forgiving qualities celebrated in the New Testament and embraced by Christians.