Merchant of Venice - Justice Quotes

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SHYLOCK You call me misbeliever, cutthroat dog..."Hath a dog money? Is it possible A cur can lend three thousand ducats?"
Their hatred of each other may have been justified, but when Antonio comes to seek help from Shylock, the tables are turned. Shylock can rightfully demand an apology, or at least some recognition of the injustice against him.
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ANTONIO But lend it rather to thine enemy, Who, if he break, thou mayst.. Exact the penalty.
He says that because he's not coming to ask for money out of friendship, and this is just business, Shylock has the right to exact a penalty should Antonio fail his bond.
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PORTIA [as Balthazar] Then must the Jew be merciful....The quality of mercy is not strained. It droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven
Portia tells Shylock must be merciful, that it is an attribute of God.
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PORTIA [as Balthazar] Tarry a little; there is something else. This bond doth give thee here no jot of blood. The words expressly are "a pound of flesh."
Portia manipulates the law and saves the day. Shylock cannot get the pound of flesh without dropping a drop of blood.
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PORTIA He seek the life of any citizen....Shall seize one half his goods; the other half Comes to the privy coffer of the state, And the offender's life lies in the mercy Of the Duke
Not only does Portia prevent Shylock from shedding "one drop of Christian blood" , she also points out that, according to the city's laws, anyone who tries to kill a Venetian citizen shall have all his goods seized.
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Other cards in this set

Card 2

Front

ANTONIO But lend it rather to thine enemy, Who, if he break, thou mayst.. Exact the penalty.

Back

He says that because he's not coming to ask for money out of friendship, and this is just business, Shylock has the right to exact a penalty should Antonio fail his bond.

Card 3

Front

PORTIA [as Balthazar] Then must the Jew be merciful....The quality of mercy is not strained. It droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven

Back

Preview of the front of card 3

Card 4

Front

PORTIA [as Balthazar] Tarry a little; there is something else. This bond doth give thee here no jot of blood. The words expressly are "a pound of flesh."

Back

Preview of the front of card 4

Card 5

Front

PORTIA He seek the life of any citizen....Shall seize one half his goods; the other half Comes to the privy coffer of the state, And the offender's life lies in the mercy Of the Duke

Back

Preview of the front of card 5

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