The Merchant of Venice: key quotations

15 short quotations from The Merchant of Venice by William Shakespeare for Pearson Edexcel GCSE English Literature, with who says them, where, the themes and why they matter. Learn a few for each theme.

  1. “In sooth I know not why I am so sad”

    Antonio, Act 1, Scene 1 · love, money

    The play opens with Antonio's unexplained sadness, creating a mood of unease.

  2. “By my troth, Nerissa, my little body is aweary of this great world.”

    Portia, Act 1, Scene 2 · love, money

    Portia feels trapped because her father's will controls who she can marry.

  3. “I hate him for he is a Christian”

    Shylock (aside), Act 1, Scene 3 · prejudice, revenge

    Shylock's hatred of Antonio is personal and religious, showing prejudice runs both ways.

  4. “The devil can cite Scripture for his purpose.”

    Antonio, Act 1, Scene 3 · prejudice, appearance and reality

    Antonio compares Shylock to the Devil, showing the anti-Jewish prejudice Shylock faces.

  5. “You call me misbeliever, cut-throat dog, / And spet upon my Jewish gaberdine”

    Shylock, Act 1, Scene 3 · prejudice

    Shylock reminds Antonio of the insults and spitting he has suffered, building sympathy for him.

  6. “All that glisters is not gold”

    Prince of Morocco (reading the scroll), Act 2, Scene 7 · appearance and reality, money

    The gold casket teaches that outward wealth and beauty can hide something worthless.

  7. “My daughter! O my ducats! O my daughter!”

    Solanio (mocking Shylock's words), Act 2, Scene 8 · money, prejudice

    Shylock is mocked for mixing up grief for Jessica with grief for his money.

  8. “Hath not a Jew eyes? Hath not a Jew hands, organs, dimensions, senses, affections, passions?”

    Shylock, Act 3, Scene 1 · prejudice, revenge

    Shylock insists Jews share the same humanity as Christians, a powerful attack on prejudice.

  9. “If you prick us, do we not bleed?”

    Shylock, Act 3, Scene 1 · prejudice

    This simple question shows that Jewish people are just as human as everyone else.

  10. “The villainy you teach me I will execute”

    Shylock, Act 3, Scene 1 · revenge, prejudice

    Shylock argues that Christian cruelty has taught him revenge, so they share the blame.

  11. “So may the outward shows be least themselves.”

    Bassanio, Act 3, Scene 2 · appearance and reality, love

    Bassanio sees past appearances and chooses the lead casket, winning Portia.

  12. “I'll have my bond. I will not hear thee speak.”

    Shylock, Act 3, Scene 3 · revenge, justice and mercy

    Shylock refuses to listen to pleas for mercy and insists on the strict terms of the deal.

  13. “The quality of mercy is not strain'd”

    Portia, Act 4, Scene 1 · justice and mercy

    Portia argues mercy must be given freely, not forced, contrasting Christian mercy with strict law.

  14. “A Daniel come to judgment! Yea, a Daniel!”

    Shylock, Act 4, Scene 1 · justice and mercy

    Shylock praises Portia as a wise judge, which becomes ironic when her ruling destroys him.

  15. “Tarry a little, there is something else. / This bond doth give thee here no jot of blood.”

    Portia, Act 4, Scene 1 · justice and mercy, revenge

    Portia turns the law against Shylock: he can take flesh but not one drop of blood.

Every quotation was checked word for word against The Merchant of Venice, Project Gutenberg eBook #1515. Editions differ slightly in punctuation, so use your own copy in class. Practise using them in a long answer with the essay planner and Correct my answer.

Source: Pearson Edexcel Level 1/Level 2 GCSE (9-1) in English Literature (1ET0) Specification, Issue 2 (June 2019). Checked 23 October 2026. GCSE-ready is independent and not affiliated with or endorsed by Pearson.