Hath not a Jew eyes? Hath not a Jew hands, organs, dimensions, senses, affections, passions? ...If you poison us, do we not die? And if you wrong us, shall we not revenge? If we are like you in the rest, we will resemble you in that. If a Jew wrong a Christian, what is his humility? Revenge. If a Christian wrong a Jew, what should his sufferance be by Christian example?
In Shakespeare's "The Merchant of Venice," the character Shylock powerfully expresses the shared humanity between Jews and Christians. He draws attention to the common physical and emotional traits that all humans possess, regardless of their backgrounds. Shylock’s rhetoric challenges the audience to recognize that Jews experience the same feelings and sufferings as Christians, suggesting that they deserve the same respect and treatment.
He further explores themes of justice and revenge, noting that all individuals react similarly to wrongs inflicted upon them. Shylock's assertions highlight the hypocrisy of societal norms and question the morality of vengeance. By invoking the commonalities between the two groups, he critiques the prejudice faced by Jews and emphasizes that unfair treatment should not be met with silence or passivity, but rather with a rightful response.
