A Pound of Flesh: The Price Tag of Retribution 🩸
Definition
“One’s exact dues; the precise amount owed, no matter what. The term comes from the famous trial scene of Shakespeare’s ‘The Merchant of Venice’ (4.1),’ where the moneylender Shylock demands the pound of flesh promised him in repayment. This metaphor symbolizes exacting repayment at potentially gruesome costs.”
Similar Terms, Expressions, and Idioms
- Comeuppance: Receiving just reward or punishment.
- Pay the piper: To face the consequences of one’s actions.
- No quarter given: Showing no mercy or leniency.
- Eye for an eye: The principle of exact retaliative justice.
- To settle a score: To resolve a grievance, often vindictively.
Synonyms
- Retribution
- Recompense
- Justice
- Payback
Antonyms
- Forgiveness
- Mercy
- Clemency
- Reprieve
Humor-Filled Quotes
- “Revenge is a dish best served cold—but before serving, check for exact ounces and overdue interest!”
Meaningful Proverbs
- “An eye for an eye makes the whole world blind.” - Mahatma Gandhi
- “The best revenge is massive success.” - Frank Sinatra
Literature, Books, and Movies to Explore
- Books:
- “The Count of Monte Cristo” by Alexandre Dumas (Tale of intricate revenge)
- “Moby-Dick” by Herman Melville (A relentless quest for retribution)
- Songs:
- “Bad Blood” by Taylor Swift
- “Get Even” by Sam Fender
- Movies:
- Shakespeare adaptations:
- “The Merchant of Venice” (2004) with Al Pacino as Shylock
- Revenge Tales:
- “Kill Bill” by Quentin Tarantino
- Shakespeare adaptations:
Inspirational Thought:
Understanding the roots of an expression shows not only where our language comes from but also allows us to reflect on human desires and the consequences of unyielding demands for balance. Let this delve into a pound of flesh remind us to balance retribution with forgiveness.
### What does “a pound of flesh” signify?
- [x] Exacting repayment to the highest degree
- [ ] Giving someone a heartfelt gift
- [ ] Gaining a generous favor from someone
- [ ] Exercising to lose weight
> **Explanation:** "A pound of flesh" refers to demanding precise repayment, even at drastic costs, based on Shakespeare’s 'The Merchant of Venice'.
### Which of these is similar to "a pound of flesh"?
- [x] Pay the piper
- [ ] Cry over spilled milk
- [ ] Hit the nail on the head
- [ ] The early bird catches the worm
> **Explanation:** "Pay the piper" is similar, as both phrases deal with facing consequences or exacting a due.
### In Shakespeare’s 'The Merchant of Venice', who demands a pound of flesh?
- [ ] Portia
- [ ] Antonio
- [x] Shylock
- [ ] Bassanio
> **Explanation:** Shylock, the moneylender, demands a pound of flesh as repayment from Antonio.
### True or False: “A pound of flesh” is a metaphor used in contemporary language
- [x] True
- [ ] False
> **Explanation:** True. It’s widely used to indicate exacting a steep and precise retribution.
Farewell, dear reader! May your pursuit of words be as ardent and your demands for retribution always tempered with mercy.
—J. Q. Cleverpen
