Justice

Duke
We have strict statutes and most biting lawsMetaphor
The needful bits and curbs to headstrong weeds,Metaphor
Which for this fourteen years we have let slip,
Even like an o’ergrown lion in a cave,
That goes not out to prey. Now, as fond fathers,
Having bound up the threat’ning twigs of birch,
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Angelo
We must not make a scarecrow of the law,
Setting it up to fear the birds of prey,
And let it keep one shape till custom make it
AntithesisTheir perch and not their terror.Metaphor

Well, heaven forgive him and forgive us all.
Some rise by sin and some by virtue fall.
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Angelo
It is the law, not I, condemn your brother.
Were he my kinsman, brother, or my son,
It should be thus with him. He must die tomorrow.
Isabella
Tomorrow? O, that’s sudden! Spare him, spare him.
He’s not prepared for death.Epizeuxis Even for our kitchens
We kill the fowl of season.
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The quality of mercy is not strained.
It droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven
Upon the place beneath. It is twice blest:
It blesseth him that gives and him that takes.

Though justice be thy plea, consider this:
That in the course of justice none of us
Should see salvation.
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Portia, as Balthazar
Shylock, there’s thrice thy money offered thee.
Shylock
An oath, an oath, I have an oath in heaven!
Shall I lay perjury upon my soul?
No, not for Venice!

By my soul I swear
There is no power in the tongue of man
To alter me.
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