Bassanio: Gratiano speaks an infinite deal of nothing, more than any man in all Venice.
Shylock: May I speak with Antonio?

Bassanio: If it please you, dine with us.

Shylock: Yes, to smell pork, to eat of the habitation which your prophet the Nazarite conjured the devil into. I will buy with you, sell with you, talk with you, walk with you, and so following; but I will not eat with you, drink with you, nor pray with you.
Salerio: Why, I am sure, if he forfeit thou wilt not take his flesh: what's that good for?

Shylock: To bait fish withal: if it will feed nothing else, it will feed my revenge.
Shylock: He hath disgraced me, and hindered me half a million, laughed at my losses, mocked at my gains, scorned my nation, thwarted my bargains, cooled my friends, heated mine enemies; and what's his reason? I am a Jew.
Tubal: Yes, other men have ill luck too. Antonio, as I heard in Genoa...

Shylock: What, what, what? ill luck, ill luck?

Tubal: ...hath an argosy cast away, coming from Tripolis.

Shylock: I thank God! I thank God!
Bassanio: Promise me life, and I'll confess the truth.

Portia: Well then, confess, and live.

Bassanio: 'Confess' and 'love' had been the very sum of my confession.
Bassanio: When I told you my state was nothing, I should then have told you that I was worse than nothing; for, indeed, I have engag'd myself to a dear friend, engag'd my friend to his mere enemy, to feed my means.
Antonio: Hear me yet, good Shylock.

Shylock: I'll have my bond. Speak not against my bond. I have sworn an oath that I will have my bond.
Antonio: These griefs and losses have so bated me, that I shall hardly spare a pound of flesh to-morrow to my bloody creditor. Pray God, Bassanio come to see me pay his debt, and then I care not!
Shylock: I am not bound to please thee with my answer.

Bassanio: Do all men kill the things they do not love?

Shylock: Hates any man the thing he would not kill?

Bassanio: Every offence is not a hate at first.

Shylock: What! wouldst thou have a serpent sting thee twice?
Bassanio: For thy three thousand ducats here is six.

Shylock: If every ducat in six thousand ducats were in six parts and every part a ducat, I would not draw them; I would have my bond.
Shylock: I am a Jew! Hath not a Jew eyes? hath not a Jew hands, organs, dimensions, senses, affections, passions? Fed with the same food, hurt with the same weapons, subject to the same diseases, healed by the same means, warmed and cooled by the same winter and summer, as a Christian is? If you prick us, do we not bleed? if you tickle us, do we not laugh? if you poison us, do we not die? And if you wrong us, shall we not revenge? If we are like you in the rest, we will resemble you in that. If a Jew wrong a Christian, what is his humility? Revenge. If a Christian wrong a Jew, what should his sufferance be - by Christian example? Why, revenge. The villany you teach me, I will execute, and it shall go hard - but I will better the instruction.
Shylock: If a Jew wrong a Christian, what is his humility? Revenge. If a Christian wrong a Jew, what should his sufferance be by Christian example? Why, revenge. The villany you teach me, I will execute, and it shall go hard but I will better the instruction.
Bassanio: So may the outward shows be least themselves: The world is still deceived with ornament.
Bassanio: Thy paleness moves me more than eloquence; And here choose I; joy be the consequence!
Antonio: Say how I loved you, speak me fair in death; And, when the tale is told, bid her be judge Whether Bassanio had not once a love.
Antonio: Repent but you that you shall lose your friend, And he repents not that he pays your debt; For if the Jew do cut but deep enough, I'll pay it presently with all my heart.
Bassanio: Why, I were best to cut my left hand off And swear I lost the ring defending it.
Gratiano: What, are we cuckolds ere we have deserved it?
Jessica: I am never merry when I hear sweet music.
Portia: If doing were as easy as knowing what were good to do, chapels had been churches and poor men's cottages princes' palaces.
Shylock: Jessica, I say!

Launcelot Gobbo: Aye, Jessica!

Shylock: Uh, who bid you call? I did not bid you call.

Launcelot Gobbo: Your worship used to say, I could do nothing without bidding.
Antonio: In truth, I know not why I am so sad. It wearies me, you say it wearies you. On such a want wit, sadness makes me that I have much ado to know myself.
Bassanio: In Belmont is a lady richly left - and she is fair, and fairer than that word - of wondrous virtues. Sometimes, from her eyes I did receive fair... speechless messages. Her name is Portia, no less a beauty than Cato's daughter, Brutus' Portia. Nor is the wide world ignorant of her worth,for the four winds blow in from every coast renowned suitors. O my Antonio, had I but the means to hold a rival place with one of them then I should question less be fortunate.
Bassanio: So may the outward shows be least themselves. The world is still deceived with ornament. In law, what plea so tainted and corrupt but being seasoned with a gracious voice obscures the show of evil? In religion, what damned error but some sober brow will bless it and approve it with a text, hiding the grossness with fair... ornament? Look on beauty and you shall see 'tis purchased by the weight. Therefore, thou gaudy gold, I will none of you. Nor none of you, O pale and common drudge between man and man. But you, O meagre lead, which rather threatenest than dost promise aught, your paleness moves me more... than eloquence. Here choose I. Joy be the consequence.
Bassanio: [confirming her love to him] Like one of two contending in a prize That thinks he has done well in people's eyes Hearing applause and universal shout Giddy in spirit, still gazing in a doubt As doubtful whether what I see be true Until confirmed, signed, ratified... by you .

Portia: You see me, lord Bassanio, where I stand, such as I am. Though for myself alone I would not be ambitious in my wish to wish myself much better, yet for you, I would be treble twenty times myself. A thousand times more fair, ten thousand times more rich, that only to stand high in your account, I might in virtues, beauties, livings, friends, exceed account. But the full sum of me is sum of something which, to term in gross, is an unlessoned girl, unschooled, unpractised. Happy in this, she is not yet so old that she may learn. Happier than this, she is not bred so dull that she may learn. Happiest of all, is that her gentle spirit commits itself to yours to be directed as by her governor, her lord, her king. This house, these servants, and this same myself are yours .
Portia: [disguised as Balthasar] Do you confess the bond?

Antonio: I do.

Portia: Then must the Jew be merciful.

Shylock: On what compulsion must I? Tell me that.

Portia: The quality of mercy is not strained, it droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven upon the place beneath. It is twice blessed - it blesseth him that gives and him that takes. 'Tis mightiest in the mighty. 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 likest God's when mercy seasons justice. Therefore, Jew, though justice be your 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 your plea.
[first lines]

Title Card: Intolerance of the Jews was a fact of 16th Century life even in Venice, the most powerful and liberal city state in Europe.

Title Card: By law the Jews were forced to live in the old walled foundry or 'Geto' area of the city. After sundown the gate was locked and guarded by Christians

Title Card: In the daytime any man leaving the ghetto had to wear a red hat to mark him as a Jew.

Man in Crowd: Usurer! Usurer!

Title Card: The Jews were forbidden to own property. So they practised usury, the lending of money at interest. This was against Christian law.

Title Card: The sophisticated Venetians would turn a blind eye to it but for the religious fanatics, who hated the Jews, it was another matter...

Franciscan Friar: If a man is righteous, and does what is lawful and right, if he has not exacted usury nor taken any increase, but has withdrawn his hand from all iniquity and executed true judgment between men and men, if he has walked in my statute and kept my judgment faithfully, then he is just and he shall surely live. But if he has exacted usury and taken increase, shall he then live? No, he shall not live. If he has done any of these abominations, he shall surely die, says the Lord our God. And yet you live from day to day by theft and robbery.

Shylock: Antonio.

[Antonio spits on Shylock]

Franciscan Friar: For a usurer is a thief and a robber who should hang on the gallows seven times higher than other thieves. Indeed, you trample all of God's commandments under your sinful feet.
[last lines]

Gratiano: Well, let it be so. The first interrogatory that Nerissa shall be sworn on is whether till the next night she had rather stay or go to bed now, being two hours to day. But were the day come, I should wish it dark till I were couching with the doctor's clerk. Well, while I live I'll fear no other thin so sore, as keeping safe Nerissa's ring.
Solanio: Believe me, sir, had I such venture forth, the better part of my affection would be with my hopes abroad. I should be still plucking the grass to know where sits the wind, peering in maps for ports and piers and roads. And every object that might make me fear misfortune to my ventures out of doubt would make me sad.
Salerio: Then you're in love.

Antonio: Fie, fie, fie!

Solanio: Not in love either? Then let us say you are sad because you are not merry.
Gratiano: You look not well, Signior Antonio. You have too much respect upon the world. They lose it that do buy it with much care.

Antonio: I hold the world but as the world, Gratiano - a stage where every man must play his part, and mine a sad one.
Portia: O me, the word "choose"! I may neither choose who I would nor refuse who I dislike. So is the will of a living daughter ruled by a dead father.
[repeated line]

Shylock: Three thousand ducats.
Shylock: Signior Antonio, many a time, and oft in the Rialto, you have reviled me about my moneys and my usances. Still, I have borne it with a patient shrug, for sufferance is the badge of all our tribe. You call me misbeliever, cut-throat dog, and spit upon my Jewish gaberdine. And all for use of that which is my own. Well, it now appears you need my help.
Shylock: Go with me to a notary and seal me there your single bond. And in a merry sport, if you repay me not on such a day in such a place, such a sum or sums as are expressed in the condition, let the forfeit be nominated - for an equal pound of your fair flesh to be cut off and taken in what part of your body pleaseth me.
Shylock: O father Abraham, what these Christians are, whose own hard dealings teaches them suspect the thoughts of others. I pray you, tell me this. If he should break his day, what should I gain by the exaction of the forfeiture? A pound of a man's flesh taken from a man is not so estimable, profitable neither, as flesh of muttons, beefs, or goats. I say, to buy his favour, I extend this friendship. If he will take it, so. If not, adieu. And, for my love, I pray you, wrong me not.

Antonio: Shylock, I will seal unto this bond.
Prince of Morocco: Dislike me not for my complexion, the shadowed livery of the burnished sun, to whom I am a neighbour and a near bred. Yallah! Yallah!
Shylock: The fool is kind enough but a huge feeder. Snail-slow in profit, and he sleeps by day more than a tomcat. Therefore, I part with him.
Jessica: Farewell. And if my fortune be not crost, I have a father, you a daughter, lost.
Prince of Morocco: [reading] "All that glistens is not gold. Often have you heard that told."
Jessica: I'm glad 'tis night. You do not look on me for I am much ashamed of my disguise. But love is blind and lovers cannot see the pretty follies that themselves commit. For if they could, Cupid himself would blush to see me thus transformed into a boy.
Antonio: Who's there?
Venetian Prostitute: The Jew! Hey! Take some pleasure with us! Taste my Christian flesh!
Solanio: Tell us, do you hear whether Antonio have had any loss at sea or no?

Shylock: Let him look to his bond. He was wont to call me usurer. Let him look to his bond. He was wont to lend money for Christian courtesy. Let him look to his bond!
Portia: O love, be moderate, allay your ecstasy, I feel too much your blessing.
Gratiano: My eyes, my lord, can look as swift as yours. You saw the mistress, I beheld the maid.
Shylock: You called me dog before you had a cause. But since I am a dog, beware my fangs. The duke will grant me justice.
Antonio: I pray you, hear me speak!

Shylock: I'll have my bond, I will not hear you speak. I'll have my bond, therefore speak no more. I'll not be made a soft and dull-eyed fool, to shake their head, relent and sigh and *yield* to Christian intercessors. I'll have no speaking, follow not. I will have my bond.
Shylock: You have among you many a purchased slave, which like your asses and your dogs and mules, you use in abject and in slavish parts because you bought them. Shall I say to you, let them be free? Marry them to your heirs. Why sweat they under burdens? Let their beds be made as soft as yours. Their palates seasoned with your food. You will answer, "The slaves are ours. " So do I answer you. The pound of flesh that I demand of him is dearly bought. 'Tis mine. 'Tis mine! 'Tis mine. And I will have it.
Shylock: If you deny me, fie upon your law!
Portia: [disguised as Balthasar] Is your name Shylock?

Shylock: Shylock - is my name.
Antonio: Most heartily I do beseech the court to give the judgment.

Portia: [disguised as Balthasar] Then thus it is. You must prepare your bosom for his knife.

Shylock: O noble judge, excellent young man.

Portia: For the intent and purpose of the law has full relation to the penalty which here appeareth due upon the bond.

Shylock: 'Tis very true, O wise and upright judge.
Portia: [disguised as Balthasar] A pound of that same merchant's flesh is yours. The court awards it and the law does give it.

Shylock: Most rightful judge.

Portia: And you must cut this flesh from off his breast. The court awards it and the law allows it.

Shylock: Most learned judge.
Portia: [disguised as Balthasar] He is well paid that is well satisfied and I, delivering you, am satisfied and therein do account myself well paid.
Portia: Pardon me, Bassanio, for, by this ring, the doctor lay with me.

Nerissa: And pardon me, my gentle Gratiano, for that same scrubbed boy, the doctor's clerk, in lieu of this last night did lie with me.
Gratiano: What? Are we cuckolds?
Lorenzo: Oh! Fair ladies, you drop manna in the way of starved people.
Tubal: One of them showed me a ring he had of your daughter for a monkey.

Shylock: How dare her! Tubal, you torture me. It was my turquoise. I had it of Leah, her mother, when I was a bachelor. I would not have given it away for a wilderness of monkeys.

The Merchant of Venice Quotes

Extended Reading

The Merchant of Venice short comments

Ruben 2022-03-20 09:02:17

Turning one hundred and eighty degrees to blacken Christians into dogs, robbing and killing people without seeing blood, young winners are the best soft-food men who rely on their boyfriends before marriage and their wives after marriage. Al is too pitiful, and Uncle JI is also very pitiful. Dedicated to the scum man so it deserves it.
Eldridge 2022-03-28 09:01:07

All about love, belief, justice and courage, which are almost dying today