The Merchant of Venice: Key Quotations

Below is a list of all of the quotations we have covered organised by character and theme:

Justice vs. Mercy

1. Shylock: "The pound of flesh, which I demand of him, is dearly bought; 'tis mine and I will have it."
2. Portia: "The quality of mercy is not strained, it droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven."
3. Shylock: "If it will feed nothing else, it will feed my revenge."

Prejudice and Discrimination

1. Shylock: "If you prick us, do we not bleed? If you tickle us, do we not laugh?"
2. Antonio: "The devil can cite Scripture for his purpose."
3. Shylock: "You call me misbeliever, cut-throat dog, and spet upon my Jewish gaberdine."

The Value of Money

1. Shylock: "The pound of flesh, which I demand of him, is dearly bought; 'tis mine and I will have it."
2. Bassanio: "All that glisters is not gold."
3. Shylock: "My ducats, and my daughter!"

Love and Friendship

1. Bassanio: "The dearest friend to me, the kindest man."
2. Portia: "I never did repent for doing good, nor shall not now."
3. Lorenzo: "How sweet the moonlight sleeps upon this bank!"
4. Jessica: "But love is blind, and lovers cannot see the pretty follies that themselves commit."
5. Bassanio: "When I told you my state was nothing, I should then have told you that I was worse than nothing."