30 'The Merchant Of Venice' Quotes For Shakespeare Fans

Moumita Dutta
Dec 12, 2023 By Moumita Dutta
Originally Published on Mar 11, 2021
Edited by Jacob Fitzbright
Merchant of Venice Shakespearian Classic

'Merchant of Venice' is a comedy written by William Shakespeare in the late 16th century.

It is one of the most famous plays which is frequently staged by many actors till date. The plot revolves around a moneylender named Shylock who asks for a pound of flesh as a loan agreement to Bassanio.

At the end of the play, it is Portia who saves the day disguising herself as a lawyer and finding a loophole in Shylock's statement, often thought of as the most import scene in the play. If the devil is in the detail then the play has cemented its place among the greatest plays ever written.

If you like our content then make sure to check our other contents on Much Ado About Nothing quotes and King Lear quotes.

'Merchant Of Venice' Important Quotes

These famous 'Merchant Of Venice ' quotes will definitely right the wrong and bring justice.

1. "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..."

-Shylock, Act III, Scene I.

2. "The man that hath no music in himself,

Nor is not moved with concord of sweet sounds,

Is fit for treasons, stratagems, and spoils."

-Lorenzo, Act V, Scene I.

3. "All that glitters is not gold—

Often have you heard that told.

Many a man his life hath sold

But my outside to behold.

Gilded tombs do worms enfold."

-Morocco, Act II, Scene VII.

4. "Gratiano speaks an infinite deal of nothing, more than any man in all Venice."

-Bassanio, Act I, Scene I.

5. "The motions of his spirit are dull as night,

And his affections dark as Erebus.

Let no such man be trusted. Mark the music."

-Lorenzo, Act V, Scene I.

6. "In sooth, I know not why I am so sad:

It wearies me; you say it wearies you;

But how I caught it, found it, or came by it,

What stuff 'tis made of, whereof it is born,

I am to learn;"

-Antonio, Act I, Scene I.

7. "It is a wise father who knows his own child."

-Lancelot, Act II, Scene I.

Love Quotes Merchant Of Venice

8. "Love is blind, and lovers cannot see the pretty follies that themselves commit."

-Jessica, Act II, Scene VI.

9. "Sit, Jessica. Look how the floor of heaven

Is thick inlaid with patens of bright gold."

-Lorenzo, Act V, Scene I.

10. "One half of me is yours, the other half yours,

Mine own, I would say; but if mine, then yours,

And so all yours."

-Portia, Act I, Scene II.

11. "With mirth and laughter let old wrinkles come.

And let my liver rather heat with wine

Than my heart cool with mortifying groans."

-Gratiano, Act II, Scene I.

12. "Whose souls do bear an equal yoke of love."

-Portia, Act III, Scene IV.

13. "O love, be moderate. Allay thy ecstasy. In measure rein thy joy."

-Portia, Act III, Scene II.

Merchant Of Venice Famous Quotes

Listed below are some Merchant of Venice Shylock quotes and by others that will make your day.

14. "To bait fish withal. If it will feed nothing else, it will feed my revenge."

-Shylock, Act III, Scene I.

15. "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 him that gives and him that takes:"

-Portia, Act IV, Scene I.

16. "The motions of his spirit are dull as night,

And his affections dark as Erebus.

Let no such man be trusted. Mark the music."

-Lorenzo, Act V, Scene I.

17. "If we are like you in the rest, we will resemble you in that."

-Shylock, Act III, Scene I.

18. "I like not fair terms and a villain’s mind."

-Bassanio, Act I, Scene III.

19. "Gilded tombs do worms enfold.

Had you been as wise as bold,

Young in limbs, in judgment old,

Your answer had not been inscrolled."

-Morocco, Act II, Scene VII.

20. "Why, revenge. The villainy you teach me I will execute—and it shall go hard but I will better the instruction."

-Shylock, Act III, Scene I.

'Merchant Of Venice' Antonio Quotes

These famous quotes by Antonio will make you want to re-read the play again.

21. "I hold the world but as the world, Gratiano—

A stage where every man must play a part,

And mine a sad one."

-Antonio, Act I, Scene 1.

22. "Hie thee, gentle Jew

The Hebrew will turn Christian."

-Antonio, Act I, Scene III.

23. "I once did lend my body for his wealth,

Which but for him that had your husband's ring

Had quite miscarried."

-Antonio, Act V, Scene I.

24. "These griefs and losses have so bated me,

That I shall hardly spare a pound of flesh

Tomorrow to my bloody creditor."

-Antonio, Act III, Scene III.

25. "Sweet lady, you have given me life and living.

For here I read for certain that my ships

Are safely come to road."

-Antonio, Act V, Scene I.

26. "Mark you this, Bassanio,

The devil can cite Scripture for his purpose."

-Antonio, Act I, Scene III.

'Merchant Of Venice' Portia Quotes

Here are some famous lines spoken by Portia that you absolutely can  ot miss.

27. "If to do were as easy as to know what were good to do, chapels had been churches and poor men’s cottages princes' palaces."

-Portia, Act I, Scene II.

28. "That light we see is burning in my hall.

How far that little candle throws his beams!

So shines a good deed in a naughty world."

-Portia, Act V, Scene I.

29. "And earthly power doth then show likest God’s

When mercy seasons justice. Therefore,

Though justice be thy plea, consider this—

That in the course of justice none of us

Should see salvation."

-Portia, Act IV, Scene I.

30. "God made him and therefore let him pass for a man. In truth, I know it is a sin to be a mocker, but he!—why, he hath a horse better than the Neapolitan’s, a better bad habit of frowning than the Count Palatine."

-Portia, Act I, Scene II.

Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly quotes for everyone to enjoy! If you liked our suggestions for 'The Merchant Of Venice' quotes then why not take a look at 'The Tempest' quotes and 'Macbeth' quotes.

 

Article image credit: Massimo Todaro / Shutterstock.com

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Written by Moumita Dutta

Bachelor of Arts specializing in Journalism and Mass Communication, Postgraduate Diploma in Sports Management

Moumita Dutta picture

Moumita DuttaBachelor of Arts specializing in Journalism and Mass Communication, Postgraduate Diploma in Sports Management

A content writer and editor with a passion for sports, Moumita has honed her skills in producing compelling match reports and stories about sporting heroes. She holds a degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from the Indian Institute of Social Welfare and Business Management, Calcutta University, alongside a postgraduate diploma in Sports Management.

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