Quote:
Originally Posted by geormes
I don't mean to quibble and I am NOT a lawyer.
But a reading of the entire scene reveals Shakespeare had a different meaning for the often used quote than most of the people who use it.
It was intended to eliminate those who might stand in the way of a contemplated revolution -- thus underscoring the important role that lawyers can play in society.
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More likely, though, it meant exactly what it means today - lawyers are unpopular and the line gets a cheap laugh/cheer from the audience. Ol' Willie was a LOT less deep than English teachers want you to believe, almost always going for the cheap laughs and sex jokes. Frankly, if he were alive today, he'd be writing sitcoms rather than doing theatre.