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Below, we introduce some of the best, most famous, and most illustrative quotations from Romeo and Juliet which help to explain why the plain remains so popular with readers and theatregoers. ‘Two households, both alike in dignity, In fair Verona, where we lay our scene’. In the famous opening lines to Romeo and Juliet, the Prologue tells ...
- Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare
- Famous Quotes from Romeo and Juliet
- Key Characters and Their Quotes
- Symbolism in Romeo and Juliet Quotes
- Famous Lines and Their Significance
- Themes in Romeo and Juliet
- Conclusion
Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare is a tragic love story about two young lovers, Romeo Montague and Juliet Capulet, whose families are engaged in a bitter feud. They secretly marry with the help of Friar Laurence, but after a series of unfortunate events — Romeo is banished from Verona for killing Juliet’s cousin Tybalt, and Juliet fakes her ...
Love and Passion
In this passionate declaration to Romeo, Juliet illustrates the vast, boundless nature of her love. The comparison of her love to the sea, known for its immense depth and infinity, emphasizes its immensity and unendingness. This quote is a testament to the depth of her affection and the consuming passion that defines their tragic love story.
Fate and Destiny
Shakespeare dives into the theme of fate and destiny within the play as external forces seemingly guide the characters’ lives. In this quote, Shakespeare foreshadows the doomed fate of Romeo and Juliet. He describes them as “star-crossed”— a term that implies their destiny is controlled by the stars, an idea deeply rooted in Elizabethan cosmology. Their tragic end, which results from a series of unfortunate events (“misadventured piteous overthrows”), not only highlights the inevitable role o...
Conflict and Tragedy
A potent quote encapsulating the themes of conflict and tragedy in “Romeo and Juliet”is: These closing lines of the play, spoken by Prince Escalus, underscore the tragic consequence of the ongoing feud between the Montagues and the Capulets. The tragic love story of Romeo and Juliet, rooted in an irreconcilable conflict, ends in unimaginable woe. Their tale serves as a powerful indictment of needless violence and hostility, underlining the grave consequences of unresolved conflict.
Romeo Montague’s Quotes
Romeo, the romantic protagonist in Shakespeare’s classic, has delivered some of the most poignant lines. Here are some of his memorable quotes: In this famous soliloquy, Romeo metaphorically compares Juliet to the sun, emphasizing her radiance, beauty, and the warmth she brings into his life. His words reflect his profound love and admiration for Juliet. Even in death, Romeo sees Juliet as a source of light in the darkness of the tomb. This quote encapsulates his unwavering love and highlight...
Juliet Capulet’s Quotes
Juliet, the young and passionate Capulet, has given us some of the most memorable lines in “Romeo and Juliet”.Here are a few: In this famous quote, Juliet questions the importance of names, particularly her family’s hatred for Romeo’s family name, Montague. She asserts that a name is merely a label and doesn’t change the essence of the person or thing it describes. Even amidst the bliss of new love, Juliet demonstrates a sober awareness of their hasty decisions. This quote showcases her wisdo...
Mercutio’s Quotes
Mercutio is Romeo’s close friend and a kinsman to Prince Escalus. Known for his wit, playful character, and eloquent speeches, Mercutio provides some of the most famous quotes from the play. Here are a few: In the famous “Queen Mab”speech, Mercutio dismisses dreams as mere products of idle minds. This contrasts with Romeo, who places great significance on dreams and premonitions. This quote showcases Mercutio’s more practical and earthy outlook towards life. Here, Mercutio wittily comments on...
Romeo and Juliet, one of Shakespeare’s most famous plays, is filled with rich and complex symbolism. Many significant quotes contain potent symbols that underscore the themes and motifs in the play. Here are a few examples:
Wherefore Art Thou Romeo?
“O Romeo, Romeo, wherefore art thou Romeo?”is one of the most famous lines from William Shakespeare’s play Romeo and Juliet (Act II, Scene II). Juliet utters this line from her balcony, unknowing that Romeo is below in the orchard, hearing every word. Despite what is commonly thought, “wherefore” does not mean “where.” Instead, it means “why”in Early Modern English. So, Juliet isn’t asking where Romeo is. Rather, she’s questioning why Romeo is who he is — a Montague, and therefore an enemy to...
Parting Is Such Sweet Sorrow
“Parting is such sweet sorrow”is another famous line from Romeo and Juliet. Juliet speaks this line to Romeo in Act II, Scene II, just after they have declared their love for each other and are saying goodbye. The phrase is an example of an oxymoron, a figure of speech that combines contradictory terms. The idea of parting (saying goodbye) being both “sweet” and “sorrow”seems to conflict. However, in this context, it takes on profound significance. The “sweet sorrow”Juliet refers to is the bi...
A Plague O’ Both Your Houses
“A plague o’ both your houses”is a famous line uttered by Mercutio in Act III, Scene I. Mercutio says this line after he has been mortally wounded in a duel with Tybalt. Despite Romeo’s best efforts to intervene and stop the fight, Mercutio is stabbed under Romeo’s arm and dies cursing both the Montagues and Capulets for their senseless feud. The significance of this line is multilayered:
Love and Devotion
Romeo and Juliet is a famous tragedy written by William Shakespeare that explores numerous themes and concepts. Among these, love and devotion are perhaps the most significant, underpinning the entire narrative.
Fate and Free Will
The concept of destiny is another central theme in Romeo and Juliet. From the beginning, the lovers are referred to as star-crossed, suggesting the inevitability of their fate. However, the play also raises questions about the characters’ free will. Some may argue that the lovers’ tragic end is a result of their own impulsive actions rather than a predetermined outcome. The story explores the balance between these two conflicting forces throughout the narrative.
Family and Feud
The bitter feud between the Capulet and Montague families creates the tension that shapes the course of the play. This ongoing battle emphasizes the destructiveness of family loyalty, as it impacts the lovers’ ability to be together openly.
Quotes from Romeo and Juliet serve as timeless embodiments of intense passion, the tragic consequences of feuding, and the raw essence of youthful love. They provide poignant commentary on universal themes and are as relevant today as they were over 400 years ago. Shakespeare’s profound words continue to resonate with us, enriching our understandin...
- “But Soft, What Light Through Yonder Window Breaks? It is the East, and Juliet is the Sun” – Romeo. This beautiful quote is from the balcony scene where Romeo tells this opening monologue for Juliet.
- “O Romeo, Romeo, Wherefore Art Thou Romeo?” – Juliet. In Scene 2 of Act 2, Juliet pours out her heart towards Romeo. She had met Romeo at the party of her engagement to Paris that her father had thrown.
- “One Fairer than My Love? The All-seeing Sun Ne’er saw her Match since First the World Begun.” - Romeo. Love is perceived to be a deep affection between two people.
- “Two of the Fairest Stars in all the Heaven, Having Some Business, Do Entreat her Eyes to Twinkle in their Spheres till they Return.” – Romeo. In Act 2, scene 2, Romeo hints that Juliet’s eyes are stars and this demonstrates his sincerity that he believes Juliet to be unreal and charmed because her eyes are stars.
This line may be one of the most frequently quoted, and frequently misunderstood, lines in all of Shakespeare. Though Juliet is standing on her balcony, unaware of Romeo below her, the line doesn’t mean she’s asking where he is. Wherefore means why, so Juliet is asking why Romeo is who he is—namely, a Montague, and therefore her sworn enemy.
This trio of quotes advances the theme of fate as it plays out through the story: the first is spoken by the Chorus (Prologue.5–8), the second by Romeo after he kills Tybalt (3.1.131), and the third by Romeo upon learning of Juliet’s death (5.1.24). The Chorus’s remark that Romeo and Juliet are “star-crossed” and fated to “take ...
Jun 24, 2020 · Romeo and Juliet is, arguably, the most famous tragedy ever written. It resonates with audiences around the world today, just as powerfully as when it was first performed over four hundred years ago. So iconic is the English work that Romeo and Juliet quotes have been cited in other works ever since the play was first performed during the 16th ...
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Example #1: Being vexed, a sea nourished with loving tears. (I. i. 195-197) The aforementioned lines pertaining to the grief of unrequited love have been delivered by Romeo in the midst of his conversation with Benvolio. Using the imagery of fire and smoke, Romeo regards his one-sided love for Rosaline a fiery madness fueled by a lover’s sighs.
