Weekend Quote #1

My first Weekend Quote post!

“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 instantly with all my heart.”
- Merchant of Venice, William Shakespeare

I was thinking about another good quote on a public transportation when these words popped into my mind. The quote is from Shakespeare's Merchant of Venice, one of the earliest Shakespeares' I read.

Antonio played by Jeremy Irons in the
film Merchant of Venice (2004)

To give a clearer view of the context, the quote is a part of Antonio's dialogue when he was tried before the Duke of Venice. He was tried because he owed a certain sum of money for the sake of his friend, Bassanio. His opponent, a Jew named Shylock, demanded a pound of his flesh taken from his breast. When the judge said that Shylock had the right to get what he demanded, Antonio said these words.

The words touch me deeply. Firstly he said that he did not begrudge Bassanio the punishment, and that the only thing Bassanio should feel sorry about is that he “would lose a friend” by the death of Antonio. But what really touching is the next phrase: “ For if the Jew do cut but deep enough, I'll pay it instantly with all my heart.”

What a wonderful expression! He plays upon the word “heart” literally and figuratively. Of course he thought that he would pay it with his literal heart, since the pound of flesh would be taken from his chest. But by saying “with all my heart” he emphasised again his sincerity in paying Bassanio's debt.

Any quote that you like (or hate) the most? Would you like to share? Please join the Weekend Quote.