The Merchant of Venice (2004)

Jeremy Irons: Antonio

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Quotes 

• Portia : [disguised as Balthasar]  Do you confess the bond?

  Antonio : I do.

  Portia : Then must the Jew be merciful.

  Shylock : On what compulsion must I? Tell me that.

  Portia : The quality of mercy is not strained, it droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven upon the place beneath. It is twice blessed - it blesseth him that gives and him that takes. 'Tis mightiest in the mighty. It becomes the throned monarch better than his crown. His sceptre shows the force of temporal power, the attribute to awe and majesty wherein doth sit the dread and fear of kings. But mercy is above this sceptred sway. It is enthroned in the heart of kings. It is an attribute to God himself and earthly power doth then show likest God's when mercy seasons justice. Therefore, Jew, though justice be your plea, consider this. That in the course of justice, none of us should see salvation. We do pray for mercy and that same prayer doth teach us all to render the deeds of mercy. I have spoke thus much to mitigate the justice of your plea.

• Antonio : In truth, I know not why I am so sad. It wearies me, you say it wearies you. On such a want wit, sadness makes me that I have much ado to know myself.

• Antonio : These griefs and losses have so bated me, that I shall hardly spare a pound of flesh to-morrow to my bloody creditor. Pray God, Bassanio come to see me pay his debt, and then I care not!

• Antonio : Hear me yet, good Shylock.

  Shylock : I'll have my bond. Speak not against my bond. I have sworn an oath that I will have my bond.

• Antonio : 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 presently with all my heart.

• Salerio : Then you're in love.

  Antonio : Fie, fie, fie!

  Solanio : Not in love either? Then let us say you are sad because you are not merry.

• Antonio : Say how I loved you, speak me fair in death; And, when the tale is told, bid her be judge Whether Bassanio had not once a love.

• Gratiano : You look not well, Signior Antonio. You have too much respect upon the world. They lose it that do buy it with much care.

  Antonio : I hold the world but as the world, Gratiano - a stage where every man must play his part, and mine a sad one.

• Shylock : O father Abraham, what these Christians are, whose own hard dealings teaches them suspect the thoughts of others. I pray you, tell me this. If he should break his day, what should I gain by the exaction of the forfeiture? A pound of a man's flesh taken from a man is not so estimable, profitable neither, as flesh of muttons, beefs, or goats. I say, to buy his favour, I extend this friendship. If he will take it, so. If not, adieu. And, for my love, I pray you, wrong me not.

  Antonio : Shylock, I will seal unto this bond.

• Antonio : Who's there?

• Antonio : Most heartily I do beseech the court to give the judgment.

  Portia : [disguised as Balthasar]  Then thus it is. You must prepare your bosom for his knife.

  Shylock : O noble judge, excellent young man.

  Portia : For the intent and purpose of the law has full relation to the penalty which here appeareth due upon the bond.

  Shylock : 'Tis very true, O wise and upright judge.

• Antonio : I pray you, hear me speak!

  Shylock : I'll have my bond, I will not hear you speak. I'll have my bond, therefore speak no more. I'll not be made a soft and dull-eyed fool, to shake their head, relent and sigh and *yield* to Christian intercessors. I'll have no speaking, follow not. I will have my bond.