Antisemitism Quote by William Shakespeare
““and what's his reason? 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 villainy you teach me I will execute, and it shall go hard but I will better the instruction.””
About This Quote
Source Play: The Merchant of Venice, Act 3 Scene 1 (adapted monologue)
All humans share the same physical and emotional makeup; thus, discrimination is unjust, and retaliation is a natural human response to injustice.
In simple terms: We are all alike, so fairness matters.
Key Takeaway
Recognize shared humanity.
Themes
equality
justice
human rights
Mood
thoughtful
critical
reflective
Type
philosophical
ethical
When to use this quote
- legal defense
- civil rights activism
- interfaith dialogue
- personal conflict resolution
Key Concepts
empathy
revenge
social critique
Questions to Reflect On
- What does equality demand beyond shared traits?
- How can we respond to injustice without seeking vengeance?
A Different Perspective
The quote exaggerates a call for revenge, ignoring moral restraint and forgiveness.
![“After Portia has trapped Shylock through his own insistence upon the letter of the law of Contract, she produces another law by which any alien who conspires against the life of a Venetian citizen forfeits his goods and places his life at the Doge’s mercy. […] Shakespeare, it seems to me, was…” quote by W.H. Auden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/25c/w-h-auden-2-7412_antisemitism_after-portia-has-trapped-shylock-through_382814.jpg)
