Okay, so this is from the Merchant of Venice (as I’m sure you’re aware.) In that time, only Jews were allowed to lend money out – people saw it as a sin because it was like “playing God.” Everyone hates the Jew and all his life he was pushed down, slandered, and belittled. The merchant of venice had a ship that got lost at sea with all his goods and possessions – he lost everything. His only remaining option was to borrow money money in order to recover a new ship. As you seem to be aware, the deal is that if you borrow money and cannot repay it, then you must give a pound of your flesh instead (which essentially will kill you). He borrows money from the Jew, and gets a new vessel – this time something happens to it again (sorry I cant remember exactly what). He is left unable to repay the Jew, who is actually a really nice man but who, in shakespeare as well as in that time, is portrayed as evil. The man has no other options but to pay the Jew a pound of his flesh. Enter the quote. After a lifetime of belittlement, being outcast by society, being treated as evil, selfish, and dirty, the Jew finally gets his revenge. And, although he shows a sense of relief to finally get some retribution, there are stark tones of regret, sorrow, and sympathy. Im no expert, but this is what I can remember from The Merchant of Venice.