How we cite our quotes:
Quote #1
VINDICE
Sister, y'have sentenced most direct, and true;
The law's a woman, and would she were you.(1.1.122-123)
Here Vindice is responding to Castiza's exclamation that Junior deserves to die for raping Antonio's wife. A lot of the time this play gives men the power in matters of justice, judgment, and revenge, but sometimes it says the law itself is a woman. Does that metaphor give women more power in the system than we would otherwise expect?
Quote #2
1 JUDGE
That lady's name has spread such a fair wing
Over all Italy, that if our tongues
Were sparing toward the fact, judgement itself
Would be condemned and suffer in men's thoughts.(1.2.60-63)
It's a tough job, but somebody has do it. This judge sees his responsibility in a particular case as linked to everyone's view of judgment and justice itself. It sure underlines the weight of being a judge.