Oh, he began trying to persuade me that he was one of the chosen people--that his artistic faculty shewed it, and that his name was as foreign as my own. He said he didnt really want 50 pounds; that he was only joking; that all he wanted was a couple of sovereigns. (B. B: No, no, Mr Schutzmacher. You invented that last touch. Seriously, now?) No. You cant improve on Nature in telling stories about gentlemen like Mr Dubedat. (BLENKINSOP: You certainly do stand by one another, you chosen people, Mr Schutzmacher.) Not at all. Personally, I like Englishmen better than Jews, and always associate with them. Thats only natural, because, as I am a Jew, theres nothing interesting in a Jew to me, whereas there is always something interesting and foreign in an Englishman. But in money matters it's quite different. You see, when an Englishman borrows, all he knows or cares is that he wants money; and he'll sign anything to get it, without in the least understanding it, or intending to carry out the agreement if it turns out badly for him. In fact, he thinks you a cad if you ask him to carry it out under such circumstances. Just like the Merchant of Venice, you know. But if a Jew makes an agreement, he means to keep it and expects you to keep it. If he wants money for a time, he borrows it and knows he must pay it at the end of the time. If he knows he cant pay, he begs it as a gift.

Schutzmacher Monologue from The Doctor's Dilemma

About this piece

Rehearse Schutzmacher's monologue

More from The Doctor's Dilemma