Romeo and Juliet quotes and analysis

‘Away from light steals home my heavy son’- Lord Montague Act 1 Scene 1

Light is used negatively to show Romeo is upset and doesn’t even want to see the sun so shuts himself in his room. This contrasts later images of light used to describe Juliet.

‘ Call me but love and I’ll be new baptised. Henceforth I will never be Romeo’-Romeo Act 2 Scene 2

Romeo is willing to deny his name in order to be with Juliet, he is saying he will throw away everything and be nothing but love to her.

‘Love is a smoke made with the fumes of sighs… a madness most discrete… a choking gall and a preserving sweet’-Romeo Act 1 Scene 1

Romeo is grieving that Rosaline does not like him, he is saying that fiery passion gives way to disappointment. The use of oxymorons shows his confusion towards love.

‘Touching hers make blessed my rude hands’-Romeo Act 1 Scene 4

Before the reformation the focus on Saint’s hands in worship was vital as through it Christians were passed through the stages of life.

‘Fire-eyed fury be my conduct now’-Romeo Act 3 Scene 1

His grief has turned to anger and his response to Mercutio’s death is rash and impulsive.

‘Gentle Mercutio put thy rapier up’-Romeo Act 3 Scene 1

Romeo attempts to stop violence but is unsuccessful, can’t stop the turning point in the play.

‘Tybalt, Mercutio, the prince hath forbidden bandying in Verona streets’-Romeo Act 3 Scene 1

Shows he is law abiding.

‘Did my heart love til now? I never saw true beauty till this night.’- Romeo

Starts to realise that his love for Rosaline wasn’t real and that Juliet is his true soulmate.

‘I do protest I never injured thee, but loved thee better than thou canst devise.’-Romeo

Romeo doesn’t want to fight Tybalt because he is married to Juliet but Tybalt is unaware of this.

‘It is an honour that I dream not of’- Juliet Act 1 Scene 3

Cleverly worded to get her opinion across but remain respectful.

‘My only love sprung from my only hate’-Juliet Act 1 Scene 5

Juliet realises she is bound by her family to hate the only person she loves.

‘What’s in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet’-Juliet Act 2 Scene 2

Juliet is complaining and saying Romeo’s name is meaningless and that there is not a significant difference between being a Capulet and a Montague.

‘I see thee, now art below. As one dead in the bottom of a tomb’-Juliet Act 3 Scene 5

Juliet’s vision of Romeo in a tomb creates a visual of how his death will unfold, the fact she can see this emphasises how unavoidable it is.

‘Madam I am here what is your will’- Juliet Act 1 Scene 3

Madam indicates that she is aware of her mother’s superiority, she is shown to be obedient and by asking what her mother’s will is she is anticipating to be ordered around.

‘Wherefore art thou Romeo? Deny thy father and refuse thy name’- Juliet Act 2 Scene 2

She wants Romeo to deny his Montague name so that she can be with him.

‘He shall not make me there a joyful bride!’-Juliet Act 3 Scene 5

Shows how headstrong she is that she opposes her parents. The exclamation mark emphasises her emotions. Highlights the lack of autonomy women had in Elizabethan England.

‘Love give me strength, and strength shall help afford’-Juliet Act 4 Scene 1

Juliet is calm when faking her death as Romeo’s love gives her strength and fuels her decision. Shows how she manages her emotions during such difficult moments.

‘You kiss by the book’- Juliet

Juliet is playfully implying that Romeo is interpreting her words too literally and it as if he is following a script. He is too formal and not passionate enough.

‘O swear not by the moon, the inconstant moon’- Juliet

Juliet is afraid that if Romeo swears his love by the moon his love will be as fickle and changeable as the moon (symbol of metamorphoses). Highlights how Juliet prioritises rationality over rash decisions and is not driven by strong emotions like Romeo.

‘It is too rash, too unadvised, too sudden, too like... lightning’- Juliet

She is suggesting that Romeo’s love is impulsive and he has not thought through the consequences. Lightning is associated with superficial beauty and fleeting moments of brilliance, which could be a reflection of Romeo’s love.

‘Content thee, gentle cos, let him alone… it is my will’-Lord Capulet Act 1 Scene 5

Capulet is powerful as he can control Tybalt, shows his role as  head of the family.

‘My will to her consent is but a part’-Lord Capulet Act 1 Scene 2

Indicates that he is giving Juliet a choice in who she marries, showing that he wants her to be happy with her husband, contrasts traditional patriarchal society.

‘But as you will not wed, I’ll pardon you, graze where you will you shall not house with me’- Lord Capulet Act 3 Scene 5

Harsh, cruel statement that highlights the lack of agency women had in their own lives.

‘For you and I are past our dancing days’-Lord Capulet Act 1 Scene 5

Could foreshadow later events, instead of being young the characters are burdened by the responsibilities and expectations of adulthood.

‘My child is yet a stranger to the world she hath not seen the change of fourteen years’-Lord Capulet Act 1 Scene 2

The fact that Lord Capulet is looking forward to a birthday she will never have emphasises how her life was cut short. Her father referring to her as a ‘stranger to the world’ links to how inexperienced and naïve she is.

‘Hang thee, young baggage, disobedient wretch!’- Lord Capulet

‘young baggage’  is a derogatory term used to describe a young woman who is promiscuous or immoral. It is a reflection of Lord Capulet’s anger and frustration with her disobedience.

‘I think she will be ruled in all respects by me’- Lord Capulet

He is expressing his confidence that his daughter will marry Paris, children at this time were expected to obey their parents without question. Shows why Juliet has to conserve her emotions- leading to large outbursts as she is forced to suppress her emotions.

‘I beg for justice, which thou, prince, must give; Romeo slew Tybalt, Romeo must not live’- Lady Capulet Act 3 Scene 1

This shows Lady Capulet’s distaste towards Romeo for what he did to Tybalt.

'that banished runagate shall soon keep Tybalt happy’-Lady Capulet Act 3 Scene 5

She plans to send someone to Mantua to give Romeo a poison, showing her willingness to take revenge and foreshadows the couple’s death.

‘Talk not to me for I’ll not speak a word, Do as though wilt, for I have done with thee’-Lady Capulet Act 3 Scene 5

Despite her initial sympathy for Juliet she sides with her husband, conveying her disappointment and frustration with her daughter.

‘Nurse, where’s my daughter? Call her forth to me’-Lady Capulet Act 1 Scene 3

The use of the word daughter here illustrates how formal their relationship is and how Lady Capulet is possessive over Juliet. It shows she doesn’t know how her daughter spends her free time.

‘Nurse come back again’- Lady Capulet

It is awkward between just her and Juliet, the Nurse is more of a mother figure.

‘Why uncle tis a shame’-Tybalt Act 1 Scene 5

Tybalt is obeying his Uncle’s orders, he is loyal to his family and respects Lord Capulet’s wishes.

‘Boy this shall not excuse the injuries that thou hast done me, therefore turn and draw’-Tybalt Act 3 Scene 1

Calling Romeo a boy is insulting, showing how Tybalt instigates conflict, he is also being instructive which shows how he likes to be in control.

‘To strike him dead, I hold it not a sin’-Tybalt Act 1 Scene 5

His words reveal his aggressive nature and willingness to use violence to solve problems. It also highlights how he believes he has the power to take someone’s life with no consequences, challenging fate which proves to be untrue later in the play.

‘I will withdraw but this intrusion shall now seeming sweet convert to bitter gall’-Tybalt Act 1 Scene 5

The ‘seeming sweet’ refers to how Romeo’s presence at the party didn’t seem like a threat. ‘Convert to bitter gall’ implies that Tybalt’s anger will convert to bitterness and he will seek revenge.

‘Well peace be with you sir: here comes my man’-Tybalt Act 3 Scene 1

Sarcastic remark implying Romeo isn’t a man and that Tybalt has control over him.

‘What drawn and talk of peace? I hate the word, As I hate hell, all Montagues and thee’-Tybalt Act 1 Scene 1

Tybalt compares the words peace and hell suggesting that he is one of the main catalysts in continuing the feud. He is willing to fight at any given opportunity.

‘Furious Tybalt’- Benvolio

Shows how others view Tybalt.

‘If love be rough with you, be rough with love; Prick love for pricking and you beat love down’-Mercutio Act 1 Scene 4

Mercutio believes that love can be controlled and that it can cause pain so you must take control over it.

‘Look for me tomorrow and you will find a grave man’-Mercutio Act 3 Scene 1

Mercutio uses a pun/double entrende, even though is dying he cannot resist a final play on words.

‘O calm and dishonourable vile submission!’-Mercutio Act 3 Scene 1

Mercutio is shocked by Romeo’s refusal to fight Tybalt since he believes his proves his cowardice.

‘that loves to hear himself talk, and will speak more in a minute than he will stand to in a month’-Romeo Act 2 Scene 4

Mercutio says a lot but doesn’t stand up to his words.

‘A plague o’ both your houses’-Mercutio Act 3 Scene 1

He is expressing his frustration and anger towards the families who have been feuding for years. It encapsulates the violence and hatred that has consumed both families.

 

‘that dreamers often lie'-Mercutio Act 1 scene 4

Mercutio knows that Romeo’s love for Rosaline is not true, Romeo is the dreamer.

‘Will you pluck your sword out of his pilcher by the ears? Make haste’-Mercutio Act 3 Scene 1

Taunting Tybalt, saying he is too slow to get his sword out and is  a coward.

 

‘You are a lover, borrow Cupid’s wings’- Mercutio

Metaphor to encourage Romeo to be more daring and passionate in his pursuit of love, he should transcend the limitations of mortal love and aspire to a more divine and transcendent form of love.

‘come, I’ll dispose of thee among a sisterhood of nuns’-Friar Lawrence Act 5 Scene 3

Talking to Juliet when he finds her laying next to Romeo’s dead body, he is saying that he will take her somewhere she can live safely. He is willing to take responsibility for the tragic events and tries to make up for it.

‘the law that threaten’d death turns it to exile; there art thou happy’-Friar Lawrence Act 3 Scene 3

He is trying to help Romeo see the positive side of a seemingly hopeless situation.

‘For this alliance may so happy prove to turn your households rancour to pure love’-Friar Lawrence Act 2 Scene 3

The Friar is optimistic about the power of love to overcome hatred.

‘Young men’s love lies not truly in their hearts but in their eyes’-Friar Lawrence Act 2 Scene 3

Advising Romeo to be careful about love and ensure it is real.

‘Thy earliness doth me assure thou are up-roused by some distemperature’-Friar Lawrence Act 2 Scene 3

The Friar is perceptive an empathetic, caring about Romeo’s well being. Contradicts his parents.

‘Art thou a man? Thy tears are womanish’- Friar Lawrence

Scolding Romeo for his emotional outbursts and is a reflecting of gender norms at the time.

‘Thou wast the prettiest babe that e’er I nursed: An I might live to see thee married once, I have my wish’-Nurse Act 1 Scene 3

Shows the nurses affection for Juliet and her desire to see her happy. It is ironic as the audience knows Juliet will die.

‘I think it is best you marry with the county’-Nurse Act 3 Scene 5

Shows her change of heart towards Romeo and her willingness to betray Juliet.

‘God in heaven bless her! You are to blame my Lord, to rate her so’-Nurse Act 3 Scene 5

The Nurse is loyal to Juliet and is willing to speak against her employers.

‘Jesu, what haste? Can you not stay a while? Do you not see that I am out of breath’-Nurse Act 2 Scene 5

Nurse teases Juliet, showing her affection.

‘If ye should lead her into a fool’s paradise, as they say, it were a very gross kind of behaviour, as they say’-Nurse Act 2 Scene 4

‘Fool’s paradise’ refers to a state of happiness based on false notions. She is warning Romeo that if he leads Juliet into believing he would marry her and doesn’t it would be very cruel and wrong.

‘A man, young lady! Lady such a man as all the word- why he’s a man of wax’-Nurse Act 3 Scene 5

The Nurse believes Paris is suited for Juliet, contrasts Romeo who is described in more poetic and metaphoric language rather than focusing on his physical appearance.

‘What, lamb! What ladybird!’- Nurse

After this the nurse exclaims ‘God forbid’ potentially in embarrassment because ‘ladybird’ was slang for a promiscuous woman or a sex worker. ‘Lamb’ could be a pet name for her, contrasting Juliet’s mother calling her ‘my daughter’

‘Benvolio who began this bloody fray’-Prince Act 1 Scene 1

Benvolio is trusted to be honest and informative.

‘A troubled mind drove me to walk abroad’-Benvolio Act 1 Scene 1

Benvolio’s response to why he’s out so early, Benvolio says that he is concerned about Romeo and that it may be making him feel troubled or anxious.

‘By giving liberty unto thine eyes; examine other beauties’-Benvolio Act 1 Scene 1

Trying to give Romeo advice that will help him move on from Rosaline.

‘I do but keep the peace: put up thy sword, or manage it to part these men with me’-Benvolio Act 1 Scene 1

Trying to maintain a peaceful environment, this highlights his diplomatic nature and his desire to avoid conflict.

‘Part fools! Put up your swords; you know now what you do’-Benvolio Act 1 Scene 1

Biblical reference that displays Benvolio as a peacekeeper who implores the people fighting to consider the consequences of their aggression.

‘Alas my liege, my wife is dead tonight, brief of my son’s exile hath stopped her breath’-Lord Montague Act 5 Scene 3

The word ‘alas’ conveys intense anguish, his wife’s death is recent and the cause shows how deeply she cared about Romeo.

‘Thou shalt not stir one foot to seek a foe’-Lady Montague Act 1 Scene 1

Parallel structure gives the line a proverbial quality and the repeated ‘s’ sound adds weight to her words. The line reveals her peaceful nature.

‘I will apprehend him’-Paris Act 5 Scene 3

Paris confronts Romeo at the tomb, he believes he is there to cause harm to the body. This portrays Paris as dutiful and law abiding but by intending to apprehend Romeo he is unknowingly contributing to the tragic ending.

‘I am sure, that you love me’-Paris Act 4 Scene 1

Reflects Paris’ confidence, the audience knows that Juliet loves Romeo so it criticises Paris.

‘Younger than she are happy mothers made’-Paris Act 1 Scene 2

Paris is eager to marry Juliet but lacks concern for her feelings or wishes. He reveals the social norms of the time which expected women to marry young and bear children as soon as possible.

‘his wisdom hates our marriage’-Paris Act 4 Scene 1

The Friar Lawrence hates their marriage which Paris thinks is based on his moral and religious principles but is because Romeo and Juliet are married. This highlights Paris’ distrust in the Friar.

‘the fair creature died and here is come to do some villainous shame to the dead bodies’-Paris Act 5 Scene 3

Romeo is a ‘villain’ and Juliet is a ‘fair creature’. Paris is loyal to the Capulet family but ignorant of the relationship between Romeo and Juliet.

‘my lady and my wife’- Paris

Ironic as they will never be married.

‘Rebellious subjects, enemies to peace’- Prince Act 1 Scene 1

By addressing the families in this way he shows his anger and frustration at their constant quarrels that disturb public order and safety. Establishes the Prince as a powerful and authoritative figure who tries to maintain peace.

‘You men you beasts’-Prince Act 1 Scene 1

Shows his anger and disgust at the family’s irrational behaviour, he compares them to wild animals who lack reason and civility, causing harm to his city. He implies that they are not worthy of being called men because they have lost their humanity and dignity by engaging in such senseless acts.

‘purple fountains issuing from your veins’-Prince Act 1 Scene 1

Metaphor referring to the family’s blood spilling and staining the streets with their violence. He uses this to contrast the beauty and nobility of their blood with the ugliness and shame of their actions.

‘Your lives shall pay the forfeit of the peace’-Prince Act 1 Scene 1

Anyone who disturbs the peace will be executed, which he does to deter the fighting, This shows how concerned he is for the safety of his city.

 ‘All are punish’d’- Prince

The tragic consequences of the feud have resulted in several deaths, the senseless violence has plagued Verona and no one has left the same as before.

‘Alas that love, whose view is muffled still, should without eyes see pathways to his will’-Romeo Act 1 Scene 1

Cliché expressions and rhymes would have been comedic and show that their love is not true and immature.

‘My only love sprung from my only hate, Too early seen unknown and known too late’- Juliet Act 1 Scene 5

Language suggests that opposites cannot be separate, Juliet blames herself for seeing Romeo too early as their love moves so fast. Shows how frustrated she is at the futility of the feud and why that leads to her being emotional.

‘With love’s light wings did I o’eperch these walls for stony limits cannot hold love out’-Romeo Act 2 Scene 2

His response when asked by Juliet how he got in, he responds in a fantasy way to her seriousness.

‘My bounty is as boundless as the sea, My love as deep; the more I give to thee, The more I have for both are infinite’-Juliet Act 2 Scene 2

Sees love as freeing but her experience of love is more realistic, considering sex and marriage.

‘Come gentle night, come, loving black browed night, Give me my Romeo and when I shall die, Take him and cut him out in little stars’-Juliet Act 3 Scene 2

Die was Elizabeth slang for ‘orgasm’. The stars cut out show her youth. ‘Cut’ and ‘die’ also have violent undertones.

‘These violent delights have violent ends, And in their triumph die’-Friar Lawrence Act 2 Scene 6

Cautioning Romeo that the intense feelings he has for Juliet could end in disaster. The ‘violent delights’ are intense and passionate but will ultimately lead to tragedy and death. ‘Triumph’ could indicate a sense of victory as their deaths, while tragic, made them heroes.

‘Wisely and slow; they stumble that run fast’-Friar Lawrence Act 2 Scene 3

Friar Cautions Romeo to love moderately and not approach love impulsively and recklessly. This is a reminder that love is a delicate emotion that requires care and attention to flourish.

‘O, she doth teach the torches to burn bright’-Romeo Act 1 Scene 5

Juliet’s beauty is so radiant that it outshines the light of the torches in the room.

‘Under love’s heavy burden do I sink’- Romeo

Weighed down by love, feels melancholy, he feels overwhelmed b his feelings and they are difficult to bear.

‘My naked weapon is out. Quarrel, I will back thee’-Sampson Act 1 Scene 1

Opening of the play, shows how easily violence can break out over nothing.

‘He rests his minim rests… the very butcher of a silk button’-Mercutio Act 2 Scene 4

Making fun of Tybalt’s fighting but there is also an underlying hint of admiration.

‘Where civil blood makes civil hands unclean’-Prologue

‘civil blood’ suggests that the bloodshed is not just the result of a personal feud between two families but affects the whole city. ‘civil hands’ suggests that the violence has tainted the hands of ordinary citizens forced to take sides.

‘Ancient grudge’-Prologue

The ‘grudge’ is so old that its forgotten what caused it but is fuelled by the constant violence.

‘O brawling love! O loving hate!’-Romeo Act 1 Scene 1

Romeo feels conflicted by his emotions towards love, the use of oxymorons is a reflection of the complex and contradictory nature of love, which can be beautiful and painful at the same time.

Constant mention of the word ‘early’

Highlights the main reason for the tragedy, their love was too fast, too short.

‘From forth the fatal loins of these two foes A pair of star crossed lovers take their life’- Prologue

Their births and deaths are described in the same short phrase which suggests their deaths were fated from the moment they were born and that their lives were too short.

‘Some consequences yet hanging in the stars’-Romeo Act 1 Scene 4

Romeo believes that his fate is predetermined and the outcome of his decision to attend the Capulet party is already written in the stars. The outcome is uncertain but he does not have the power to change it.

‘O, I am fortune’s fool!’-Romeo Act 3 Scene 1

Says this after he kills Tybalt, he believes his destiny is out of his control, he feels manipulated by fate into killing Tybalt which leads to his downfall.

‘For never was a story of more woe than this of Juliet and her Romeo’-Prince Act 5 Scene 3

There has never been a story more tragic than this, it is a reminder of the consequences of the feud which led to the couple’s death.

‘Then I defy you, stars!’-Romeo Act 5 Scene 1

Romeo is saying that he is not afraid of fate and will take control of his own destiny.

‘What must be shall be’- Juliet Act 4 Scene 1

Juliet accepts her fate, she has no control over what will happen to her and that she must accept what comes her way.

‘If he be married my grave is likely to be my wedding bed’-Juliet Act 1 Scene 5

Juliet fears having to marry someone she doesn’t want to and is saying that if Romeo is married she would rather die than marry anyone else. Also foreshadows later events.