Let's Kill All the Lawyers

The full quote is "The first thing we do, let's kill all the lawyers",[1] from William Shakespeare's Henry VI, Part2, Act IV, Scene 2. This quote is among one of Shakespeare's most famous quotes,[2] as well as one of his most controversial quotes.[3] The quote has been the title of movies[4] as well as the title for published books.[5] Shakespeare may be making a joke when character "Dick The Butcher" suggests one of the ways the band of pretenders to the throne can improve the country is to kill all the lawyers. Dick is a rough character, like the other henchmen, and this is his rough solution to a perceived societal problem.[6] There is some disagreement with the interpretation that one of Shakespeare's sympathetic characters would make a joke suggesting that killing lawyers would make the world better.[7] The Florida Bar Association contends the quote was a lawyer joke.[8]

Henry VI, Part2, Act IV, Scene 2

JACK CADE. Valiant I am.

SMITH [aside]. A must needs; for beggary is valiant.

JACK CADE. I am able to endure much.

DICK [aside]. No question of that; for I have seen him whipp'd three market-days together.

JACK CADE. I fear neither sword nor fire.

SMITH [aside]. He need not fear the sword; for his coat is of proof.

DICK [aside]. But methinks he should stand in fear of fire, being burnt i' th'hand for stealing of sheep.

JACK CADE. Be brave, then; for your captain is brave, and vows reformation. There shall be in England seven half-penny loaves sold for a penny: the three-hoop'd pot shall have ten hoops; and I will make it felony to drink small beer: all the realm shall be in common; and in Cheapside shall my palfrey go to grass: and when I am king,- as king I will be,-

ALL. God save your majesty!

JACK CADE. I thank you, good people:- there shall be no money; all shall eat and drink on my score; and I will apparel them all in one livery, that they may agree like brothers, and worship me their lord.

DICK. The first thing we do, let's kill all the lawyers.

References

  1. ↑ "Henry VI, part 2: Entire Play". shakespeare.mit.edu. Retrieved 2016-02-29.
  2. ↑ "Henry VI (Part 2) the play by William Shakespeare". www.william-shakespeare.info. Retrieved 2016-03-01.
  3. ↑ Gershman, Jacob. "To Kill or Not to Kill All the Lawyers? That Is the Question". Wall Street Journal. ISSN 0099-9660. Retrieved 2016-03-01.
  4. ↑ Senkowski, Ron (1998-05-15), Let's Kill All the Lawyers, retrieved 2016-03-01
  5. ↑ Levine, Paul (2012-06-01). Kill All the Lawyers (Unabridged ed.). Place of publication not identified: Blackstone Audio. ISBN 9781433227288.
  6. ↑ ""The first thing we do, let's kill all the lawyers" - it's a lawyer joke". www.spectacle.org. Retrieved 2016-03-01.
  7. ↑ "'Kill the Lawyers,' A Line Misinterpreted". The New York Times. 1990-06-17. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2016-03-01.
  8. ↑ "Let's Kill All the Lawyers! Shakespeare (Might Have) Meant It". www.floridabar.org. Retrieved 2016-03-01.

Category:Culture

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