Bars Quote by William Shakespeare
“My conscience hath a thousand several tongues, And every tongue brings in a several tale, And every tale condemns me for a villain. Perjury, perjury, in the high'st degree; Murder, stern murder in the dir'st degree, Throng to the bar, crying all, 'Guilty!, guilty!”
About This Quote
Source Play: The Merchant of Venice, Act 4, Scene 1, 1596
The speaker feels besieged by many accusations, each with its own story, leading to a sense of being condemned on all fronts.
In simple terms: Many accusations overwhelm the speaker, making them feel guilty.
Key Takeaway
Recognize and address each accusation individually.
Themes
justice
guilt
conflict
law
reputation
Mood
anxious
defensive
Type
dramatic
legal
moralistic
When to use this quote
- courtroom defense
- personal reflection
- public criticism
Key Concepts
self‑scrutiny
social pressure
legal drama
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you differentiate genuine criticism from baseless accusations?
- What steps can you take to protect your reputation?
A Different Perspective
Accusations may be exaggerated or false, complicating truth‑seeking.
