Expert: Arlene Schulman - 8/12/2003

Question
I believe Churchill quoted from Shakespeare when he (or someone else) said: Unleash the dogs of war . . . or let loose the dogs of war . . .. Could you give me the quote or where to find it--I've gone over Henry V but haven't found anything I can recognize.

Thanks.

Answer
Hi Jackie,

"Henry V" is not the only play about war...

The quote is from "Julius Caesar", Act III, scene i.  

After the assassignation of Caesar in the Senate, Anthony enters and confronts the conspirators.  He pretends to understand and forgive them (to save his own life and allow him to avenge his friend and mentor in the future).  When Anthony is left alone in the Senate with the murdered body of Caesar he breaks down with grief and rage and asks forgiveness from the bleeding body, vowing vengeance against the conspirators:

Anthony:
       "O, pardon me, thou bleeding piece of earth,
  That I am meek and gentle with these butchers!
  Thou art the ruins of the noblest man
  That ever lived in the tide of times.
  Woe to the hand that shed this costly blood!
  Over thy wounds now do I prophesy,--
  Which, like dumb mouths, do ope their ruby lips,
  To beg the voice and utterance of my tongue--
  A curse shall light upon the limbs of men;
  Domestic fury and fierce civil strife
  Shall cumber all the parts of Italy;
  Blood and destruction shall be so in use
  And dreadful objects so familiar
  That mothers shall but smile when they behold
  Their infants quarter'd with the hands of war;
  All pity choked with custom of fell deeds:
  And Caesar's spirit, ranging for revenge,
  With Ate by his side come hot from hell,
  Shall in these confines with a monarch's voice
  Cry  'Havoc,' and let slip the dogs of war;
  That this foul deed shall smell above the earth
  With carrion men, groaning for burial."

Hope this helps.  If you have any other questions, I'd be happy to try to answer them for you.

Best,
Arlene (MsDirector)