| Signior Antonio, many a time and oft | Sir Antonio, many times |
| In the Rialto you have rated me | In the Rialto you have criticized me |
| About my moneys and my usances. | About my money and my money-lending. |
| Still have I borne it with a patient shrug, | I have put up with it with a patient shrug of the shoulders, |
| For sufferance is the badge of all our tribe. | Because Jewish people have to put up with things and that is what distinguishes us. |
| You call me misbeliever, cut-throat dog, | You call me someone who believes in a false religion, a nasty dog |
| And spit upon my Jewish gabardine, | And spit on my Jewish cloak, |
| And all for use of that which is mine own. | And all because I lend out my own money. |
| Well then, it now appears you need my help. | Well then, now it appears that you need my help. |
| Go to, then, you come to me, and you say, | You come to me and you say, |
| "Shylock, we would have moneys"; you say so; | "Shylock we would like to borrow money" |
| You that did void your rheum upon my beard, | Even though you spat phlegm on my beard |
| And foot me as you spurn a stranger cur | And kick me as if you were throwing a stray dog |
| Over your threshold; moneys is your suit. | Out of your house; you are asking for money. |
| What should I say to you? Should I not say: | What should I say to you? Shouldn't I say |
| "Hath a dog money? Is it possible | "Has a dog money? Is it possible |
| A cur can lend three thousand ducats?"; or | That a dog can lend three thousand ducats?" or |
| Shall I bend low, and in a bondman's key, | Shall I grovel and in a slave's tone of voice |
| With bated breath and whispering humbleness | With a soft respectful whisper |
| Say this: | Say this: |
| "Fair sir, you spat at me on Wednesday last; | "Good sir, you spat at me last Wednesday |
| You called me dog; and for these courtesies | You called me a dog; and for these kindnesses |
| I'll lend you thus much moneys"? | I'll lend you so much money"? |
Instructions
Match the original lines with the modern version.
What does this speech tell you about Shylock's character?
What do we learn about money and money-lending?
What do we learn about anti-Semitism?
Published on: 11 Dec 2010
