A few days ago
mrfame1017

What is the meaning of the Shakespeare quote?

He tells me flatly there’s no mercy for me in heaven because I am a Jew’s daughter; and he says you are no good member of the common-wealth, for in converting Jews to Christians you raise the price of pork.

It is from the Merchant of Venice Act 3 Scene 5 lines 31-35.

Also how does this quote affect the theme and the plot of the play.

Top 4 Answers
A few days ago
Platonic

Favorite Answer

Well, there ARE – unfortunately – signs of a certain antisemitism in Shakespeare’s plays (Merchant of Venice, but also Much ado about nothing: “if I do not love her, I am a Jew”). We may try to interpret again and again, but what is written is written, too bad for the Bard.

The rest is a question of demand and supply in a market economy. If you convert Jews to Christians, the new converts will start eating pork (which they were forbidden from doing as members of the Jewish faith). More demand for pork means higher price for pork, unless supply increases, which is unlikely in the short term.

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A few days ago
Kalecia23
I haven’t read the play but what I have been looking at it seems that she is saying that her husband “made” her a Christian. Launcelot tells her that no matter what she is still a Jew. No matter if someone “converts” her. The last part “you raise the price of pork,” I would believe would mean that you may “convert” them and now they say they are Christian but really they are still a Jew. The only difference now would be that they are doing something “eating pork” for example that they never did before. In their heart and soul they are still a Jew.
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A few days ago
Peaches n’ Cream
I don’t know!!! I don’t understand all this Shakespeare c.r.a.p! Who is he anyway!!
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A few days ago
Nathaly
I don’t know.
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