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In the play The Merchant of Venice, Antonio, the merchant of the title, borrows money to help his impecunious friend Bassanio go to Belmont and woo a wealthy woman, Portia. He borrows this money from Shylock, a Jewish moneylender. Antonio and his friends are anti-Semitic racists and have been treating Shylock and (presumably) the other Jews badly. Nevertheless, Shylock agrees to lend the money, and does not even ask for interest, but says that as a kind of joke, the contract will state that if Antonio does not pay within the time stated, Shylock can take a pound of flesh from whatever part of Antonio's body he wants. Antonio thinks it's practically impossible that he will be unable to pay so he signs the contract.
Unfortunately for Antonio he has a string of bad business losses and is unable to pay on the due date. Shylock decides that this is his chance to get back at Antonio for all the wrongs that have been done to him by all the Christians. He goes to court to enforce the bond.
In court, Shylock is offered many times the amount of the loan (Bassanio has married Portia and they have money now) but he refuses. (This shows that Shylock is not greedy, as some people say, but rather vengeful) Fortunately for Antonio and unfortunately for Shylock, Portia disguises herself as a lawyer, finds a loophole in the contract and defeats Shylock's suit. She turns the tables on him, so that Shylock is deprived of his wealth and ability to make a living and his right to practise his religion.
"A pound of flesh" therefore means a particularly heavy or onerous clause in a contract.
Wiki User
∙ 13y ago
Wiki User
∙ 8y agoThe reference to a "pound of flesh" comes from Shakespeare, where Shylock, the Jewish moneylender, asked for a pound of flesh as a surety for repayment. There is no biblical reference to a pound of flesh.
Wiki User
∙ 14y agoSee Shakespeare's play "The Merchant of Venice."
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What does 'a pound of flesh' mean?
There actually is no such phrase. People using it are confusing the phrase "a pound of flesh" from the Shakespeare play The Merchant of Venice with the title of the 2008 Will Smith movie "Seven Pounds" In the Shakespeare play the pound of flesh is the penalty for defaulting on a loan. You default on your mortgage and the bank gets your arm. The Will Smith movie is not about defaulting on a loan, but about making up for your mistakes. In the film Smith's character must help seven people to make up for the seven people he accidentally killed.
Was the term a pound of flesh mentioned in Macbeth and what scene?
Wrong play. The expression "pound of flesh" comes not from Macbeth but from The Merchant of Venice.
What is the Biblical quote for seven pounds?
Not sure about biblically but I do know it comes from the Merchant of Venice where a pound of flesh is demanded from those in debt. In 'Seven Pounds' seven lives were taken so seven pounds are owed, he must save seven lives.
Why does Antonio agree on 1 pound of flesh?
because he will do anything for his friend
Was the law of Venice good or shakespeare made mockery of it in The Merchant of Venice?
The law of Venice was not good because they are not showing any mercy towards the culprit and so they permit Shylock to a pound of flesh from Antonio's body.And i think its quite merciless to take a pound of flesh.
What does 'a pound of flesh' mean?
There actually is no such phrase. People using it are confusing the phrase "a pound of flesh" from the Shakespeare play The Merchant of Venice with the title of the 2008 Will Smith movie "Seven Pounds" In the Shakespeare play the pound of flesh is the penalty for defaulting on a loan. You default on your mortgage and the bank gets your arm. The Will Smith movie is not about defaulting on a loan, but about making up for your mistakes. In the film Smith's character must help seven people to make up for the seven people he accidentally killed.
What are the release dates for Pound of Flesh - 2015?
Pound of Flesh - 2015 was released on: USA: 2015
What is the collective noun for flesh?
There is no collective noun for flesh. However, I have heard 'a pound of flesh' and 'a mass of flesh'.
What are the ratings and certificates for Pound of Flesh - 2010?
Pound of Flesh - 2010 is rated/received certificates of: Australia:MA (2010)
Was the term a pound of flesh mentioned in Macbeth and what scene?
Wrong play. The expression "pound of flesh" comes not from Macbeth but from The Merchant of Venice.
What is collective noun for flesh?
The commonly used collective noun is a pound of flesh.
What biblical character had the most problem with the flesh?
Peter the apostle.
Does I can only imagine have a biblical reference?
yes.
What are the release dates for Frontline World - 2002 India A Pound of Flesh?
Frontline World - 2002 India A Pound of Flesh was released on: USA: 20 July 2006
Where in the Bible would you find the reference to 7 pounds of flesh?
Seven pounds of flesh is not found in the Bible.
What does Rene means in bible terms?
There is no biblical text related to the name Rene or Irene. Is indicated in several sources to be of Greek origin and mean peace., but not biblical reference is given for this name. This of course dose not mean that those named Rene are bad, it simply means there is no biblical reference to the name. There are many people who have names with no biblical reference.
What actors and actresses appeared in A Pound of Flesh - 1993?
The cast of A Pound of Flesh - 1993 includes: Sandi Carroll as Rose Adam Felber Mick Hilgers Ian Lithgow
