The Merchant of Venice (2004)

Jules Werner: Franciscan Friar

Quotes 

• [first lines] 

  Title Card : Intolerance of the Jews was a fact of 16th Century life even in Venice, the most powerful and liberal city state in Europe.

  Title Card : By law the Jews were forced to live in the old walled foundry or 'Geto' area of the city. After sundown the gate was locked and guarded by Christians

  Title Card : In the daytime any man leaving the ghetto had to wear a red hat to mark him as a Jew.

  Man in Crowd : Usurer! Usurer!

  Title Card : The Jews were forbidden to own property. So they practised usury, the lending of money at interest. This was against Christian law.

  Title Card : The sophisticated Venetians would turn a blind eye to it but for the religious fanatics, who hated the Jews, it was another matter...

  Franciscan Friar : If a man is righteous, and does what is lawful and right, if he has not exacted usury nor taken any increase, but has withdrawn his hand from all iniquity and executed true judgment between men and men, if he has walked in my statute and kept my judgment faithfully, then he is just and he shall surely live. But if he has exacted usury and taken increase, shall he then live? No, he shall not live. If he has done any of these abominations, he shall surely die, says the Lord our God. And yet you live from day to day by theft and robbery.

  Shylock : Antonio.

  [Antonio spits on Shylock] 

  Franciscan Friar : For a usurer is a thief and a robber who should hang on the gallows seven times higher than other thieves. Indeed, you trample all of God's commandments under your sinful feet.