Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare Annotation
Act 1
Introduction to the feud between families, star-crossed lovers.
Scene 1
The Montagues and the Capulets fight each other and are broken up by the ruler of
Verona, Prince Escalus. Not the citizens nor the prince endorse their fighting.
The Montagues discuss the cause of Romeo’s sadness. His cousin Benvolio discovers
Romeo loves a woman named Rosaline who swore to chastity. Romeo seems cognizant of love’s
control and restraint and can’t seem to forget the woman.
Quote
Literary
Device/Translation
Why it is important
“What, drawn and talk of
peace? I hate the word/ As
I hate hell, all Montagues,
and thee”(1.1#70-72)
“I hate peace as much as
I hate hell and the
Montagues”
Simile
This shows the level of hate between the two
families. They feel as if the other is the root
of all evil and are only kept from destroying
each other by higher powers.
“Three civil brawls bred of “You’ve fought three
an airy word/ By
times”
thee”(1.1#91-92)
Foreshadowing
Three is the number used to signify a turning
point. This suggests that the climax of the
story is a final fight, followed by some kind
of resolution.
“She’ll not be hit/ With
Cupid’s arrow. She hath
Dian’s wit”(1.1#215-216)
“She won’t be struck by
Cupid’s arrow because
she has Diana’s wit”
Allusion
Cupid and Diana are both supernatural
figures, and the supernatural are often very
connected with fate. This shows how Romeo
himself is quite conscious of his lack of
personal agency in love.
“I’ll pay that doctrine or
else die in debt”(1.1#247)
Characterization
Benvolio, Romeo’s cousin, has a duty to
protect him and seems to be blaming himself
for Romeo’s sickness.
Scene 2
Count Paris wants to marry Juliet even though she is 14. Lord Capulet invites Paris to his
party, where he promises there will be many other pretty girls.
Romeo finds out Rosaline(his lover) is at the party. Benvolio uses Lord Capulet’s
argument to push Romeo to go. Romeo stubbornly maintains that he’ll never find another that
matches his current lover.
Quote
Literary Device/Translation
Why it is important
“It is written that the
shoemaker/should meddle
with his yard and the tailor
with his last, the/ fisher with
his pencil and the painter with
his nets/But I [...] can never
find what names the writing
person hath here
writ.”(1.2.#40-45)
“It is written that a shoemaker
should use a yardstick, a tailor
with a foot model, the fisher
with his paintbrush and the
painter with his nets, but I’ll
never know what is written
here”
This quote implies that fishermen
should only be messing with their
nets, showing one’s life is in
many ways predetermined, one
aspect of fate, a main idea in the
book.
“Tut, man, one fire burns out
another’s burning”(1.2.48)
“Suffering ends, only to be
replaced by new suffering”
Benvolio talks about the
inevitability of pain and how life
is about how to navigate that.
“One fairer than my love? The
all seeing sun/ Ne’er saw her
match since first the world
begun”(1.2#99-100)
“I’ll never see a prettier girl”
This shows the stubbornness of
Romeo, a stubbornness also
found in other family members
who refuse to give up their hate,
but instead, Romeo refuses to
give up his love.
Scene 3
This is a pun
Additionally, the pun is that the
lowly servingman has got the
quote wrong, and it should be the
fisher with his nets.
Juliet is informed of Paris’ marriage proposal, something she dislikes, but is willing to do
if it pleases her parents.
Quote
Literary Device/Translation
Why it is important
“For I had then laid
wormwood to my dug/ Sitting
in the sun under the
dove-house wall/ [...] pretty
fool/ to see it tetchy [..]
“Shake,” quoth the
dovehouse.”(1.3#28-35)
“While I sat in the sun near the
dove-house wall, I weaned off
Juliet with some bitter wood.
The baby was a pretty fool,
being irritated. Then suddenly
the earthquake shook the
dovehouse”
Doves symbolize love, peace and
freedom, some of Juliet’s
character traits. In addition, the
inevitability of getting weaned,
especially being exposed to such
inevitable harm like the bitter
wood brings up the topic of fate.
Especially since the baby had no
control over anything, she had no
choice but to be “tetchy.” Finally,
the earthquake which shook is a
bad omen, especially the day
Juliet was weaned. It shows that
after she became a girl and not a
baby, fate had already looked
down upon her.
Symbolism
“Dost thou fall upon thy
face?/Thou wilt fall backward
when thou hast more wit/Wilt
thou not, Jule”(1.3#45-47)
“Do you fall on your face? You
will learn to fall backwards
when you are smarter”
Metaphor
Juliet is being taught that when
you are about to fall, that is,
when suffering from some
inevitability- you still have
control over some aspects. This is
an aspect of personal agency
which is introduced to Juliet.
“A man, young lady [...] why,
he’s a man of
wax”(1.3#93-94)
“He’s too old and he’s a man of
wax”
Artists often use wax to sculpt
their figures. Thus, Paris looks
very handsome and perfect. But
wax cannot stand against
pressure and melts against heat.
Similarly, Paris won’t stay
beautiful when there is conflict.
Metaphor
“This precious book of love,
this unbound lover/ To
beautify him, only lacks a
cover:”
“Paris’ unbounded beauty is like
a book, missing only a cover- a
wife”
Pun, Metaphor
Lady Capulet compares Paris to a
book without a cover, which
Juliet will provide. Furthermore,
Capulet also describes Paris’
beauty as unbounded, a pun.
Shakespeare uses this to
emphasize the influence and
importance of Juliet’s family
members.
Scene 4
Romeo goes to the party and explains a premonition had in his dream. Mercutio has a
long monologue on the substance of dreams and their meaning.
Quote
Literary Device/Translation
Why it is important
“Give me a case to put my
visage in. -/ A visor for a
visor.”(1.4#29-30)
“Give me a case for my mask . I
mask to cover my secretive
face”
Masks are symbols of secrets and
illusion. Mercutio recognizes that
secrecy and illusion is very
important by comparing his own
face to his visor. In addition,
there is also a reference to the
bible verse an eye for an eye,
secretly telling the audience how
the two families are driven by
revenge and violence.
Metaphor
“A torch for me. [...] I’ll be a
candle holder and look on/ the
game was ne’er so fair, and I
am done”(1.4#35-39)
“I’ll hold the torch and just
observe/ I’ll be content just
loving Rosaline”
Allusion, Foreshadowing
Romeo uses proverbs to say that
he won’t participate in the
festivities because he thinks he’ll
never stop loving Rosaline.
However, Romeo does not realize
that the torch, like everything
else will inevitably end, which
means he will eventually find a
new lover.
“Tut, dun’s the mouse, the
constable’s own word/ If thou
art dun, we’ll draw thee from
the mire”(1.4#40-41)
“Be like the dull mouse and
blend in/ if you are stuck, we’ll
just leave”
Allusion, Pun
Mercutio uses proverbs to
compare Romeo to an animal,
like a mouse or a horse since the
depression dun’s in the mire
means a horse stuck in mud. This
shows Romeo’s impulsiveness
and stubbornness.
“Queen Mab has been with
you/ She is the fairies’
midwife [...] no bigger than an
agate stone [...] her wagon
“You’ve been influenced by
Queen Mab”
Mercutio describes Queen Mab,
an illusive figure which
influences your dreams.
However, we see Queen Mab
Metaphor
spokes made of long spinners’
legs/ the cover of the wings of
grasshoppers”(1.4#58-67)
“But he that hath the steerage
of my course/ Direct my
sail”(1.4#119-120)
being compared to an insect, a
minor inconvenience which goes
away in a moment. In addition, a
spinner, or spider, symbolizes
patience as it builds its web.
Mercutio communicates how
Romeo’s dreams won’t amount to
anything, just like an insect. Even
if they do, Romeo just has to be
patient and the problem will be
over.
“Let the person who controls me
continue to do so”
Metaphor
This addresses the theme of
personal agency with a reference
to sailing. Romeo fears some
supernatural force, like wind,
changing the course of the boat,
but decides to just adapt to it
after Mercutio’s story about
Queen Mab.
Scene 5
Romeo’s identity is found out by Montague, but he doesn’t harm him to please his guests.
Romeo and Juliet meet and discover their love for each other: their enemy.
Quote
Literary Device/Translation
Why it is important
“Beauty too rich for use, for
Earth too dear/ She shows a
snowy dove trooping with
crows”(1.5#54-55)
Metaphor
Romeo praises Juliet and
compares her to many desirable
things.
“Patience perforce with willful
choler meeting/ makes my
flesh tremble [...] I will
withdraw, but this intrusion
shall/ Now seeming sweet,
convert to bitt’rest
gall”(1.5#100-104)
“Enforced calmness to obstinate
anger/ makes me uncomfortable/
I’ll leave, but this/ will soon
become bad”
Choler is referring to the theory
of the 4 humors. If a person has
too much choler, they are angry.
Choler is also produced from the
gallbladder, so is a synonym to
gall. Tybalt claims the problem of
the Montagues is as inevitable as
natural processes in the body,
showing the amount of hatred he
has for them.
Allusion, Metaphor
“Away, begone. The sport is at
the best/ Ay, so I fear. The
more is my
unrest.”(1.5#133-134)
“Let’s go. Let’s quit while she
still likes you/ Yes, I did find a
new love, but it brings me
unrest”
Pun, Characterization
Referencing Romeo’s previous
refusal of participating in the
party, Benvolio teases Romeo.
However, Romeo is more
concerned with the fact that Juliet
is a Capulet, showing his
personal agency.
“If he be married/ My grave is
like to be my wedding
bed”(1.5#148-149)
“If he’s married, I’ll die single”
Juliet describes her immediate
attraction to Romeo. She claims
that she’ll only marry Romeo and
suggests she might die if she
didn’t. Perhaps this is also
foreshadowing to what happens
to the pair at the end.
Characterization
Act 2
Romeo, Juliet develop their relationship, decide to marry.
Scene 1
Mercutio and Benvolio try to call back Romeo when he leaps over an orchard wall to
reach Juliet.
Quote
Literary Device/Translation
Why it is important
“And she steal love’s sweet
bait from fearful hooks”(2.1
SD#8)
“She carefully takes love from a
trap”
Metaphor
The thought of stealing may
show impulsivity or helplessness.
Her ability to outsmart the one
going for her shows Juliet’s
intelligence as well. Finally, the
hooks symbolize the danger from
the Capulets feud with the
Montagues.
“Can I go forward when my
heart is here?/ Turn back, dull
earth, and find thy center
out.”(2.1#1-2)
“Can I leave my heart here? I
have to go back, or I’ll be
dreary, and I’ll go find my
center”
Metaphor
Romeo compares Juliet to the
center of the Earth. Without her,
he’ll be slow and dreary, and
won’t move without her. Thus,
Romeo must be reunited with his
center, Juliet.
“Nay, I’ll conjure too/ Romeo! “Yes, I’ll call him too! Romeo?
Humors! Madman! Passion!
Controlled by Humors!
Lover!”(2.1#8-9)
Madman! Passionate man!
Lover!”
Metaphor
Mercutio compares Romeo to
many names. First, Humors
suggests Romeo is being
controlled by one of the four
humors and is thus not being
himself. Only after Mercutio says
Madman, does he acknowledge
Romeo’s love in the words
Passion and Lover, perhaps to
soften his tone after the first few
calls didn’t work.
“One nickname for her
purblind son and heir/ young
Abraham Cupid, he that shot
so trim/ when King Cophetua
loved the beggar
maid.”(2.1#148-149)
In the fable, the king is buried in
the same tomb as the maid.
Perhaps this foreshadows Romeo
and Juliet’s death together. Like
Cupid, Romeo is sometimes
blind to the danger he faces.
Similarly, both are young, but
also aged by their family’s
eternal feud.
“Come, we understand your love
is like being shot by Cupid, or
even like the fable of King
Cophetua and the beggar maid”
Allusion
Foreshadowing
Scene 2
Romeo and Juliet talk in a classic balcony scene.
Quote
Literary Device/Translation
Why it is important
“It is the East, and Juliet is the
sun/ Arise, fair sun, and kill
the envious moon”(2.2#4-5)
“From the east, Juliet rises as the
sun/ Rise up good Juliet and kill
chastity of the moon”
Allusion
In Greek mythology Diana is the
goddess of the moon and chastity.
Similarly, the sun symbolizes life
and the sun because of the light it
gives. Therefore, Romeo
simultaneously praises Juliet and
tries to convince her to love him.
“For stony limits cannot hold
love out”(2.2#72)
“Not even stone blocks love out” Though Romeo has a literal
Symbolism
interpretation of stony limits, it
means that nothing cannot stop
love because stone is so hard.
“Hist, Romeo, Hist!- O, for a
falc’ner’s voice/ to lure this
tassel-gentle back
again!”(2.2#168-169)
“Shush! I wish I could yell like a
falconer/ and call you little bird
back”
Metaphor
Juliet compares Romeo to a male
falcon. Romeo is lifted by love’s
wings and will hunt his prey,
Juliet, with great efficiency and
speed. Additionally, falconry was
a rather royal sport in England at
this time.
“Bondage is hoarse and may
not speak aloud/ Else would I
tear the cave where Echo
lies/and make her airy tongue
more hoarse than mine/with
repetition of “My
Romeo””(2.2#170-173)
“Rules force us to speak in
silent/ if not, I’d let all the
echoes out of the caves in the
world/ all speaking the same
“My Romeo””
Allusion
Echo, shunned by the self-loving
Narcissus, was condemned to
repeat what others said. Juliet’s
dialogue shows personal agency
for the danger of the rules,
contrary to Romeo. This also
implies Juliet would go after
Romeo even if he was like
Narcissus.
“I would have thee gone/ and
yet no farther than a wanton’s
bird/ that lets it hop a little
from his hand[...]/ and with a
silken thread plucks it back
again”(2.2#190-194)
“I would have you leave/ but
like a greedy child/ I’ll let you
go only a little bit/ and
immediately pull you back”
Analogy
Juliet seems to be succumbing to
love here and is losing her
personal agency. Like the child’s
greedy tendencies, the moment
Romeo goes for too long, she’ll
want to see him again.
Scene 3
Romeo asks Friar Lawrence to marry him and Juliet. After some thought, the friar agrees
because he thinks that the young lovers could end the family feud.
Quote
Literary Device/Translation
Why it is important
“The gray-eyed morn smiles
on the frowning
night/checkering the eastern
clouds with streaks of
light”(2.3#1-2)
“The morning shows up,
confronting the dreariness of
night/ and throws light upon the
once dreary clouds”
Metaphor
Unbeknownst to the friar, he’s
just described Romeo’s two
loves. Juliet is compared to the
morning, giving light to the dark
clouds and countering the
darkness. Rosaline is compared
to the night, giving Romeo so
much sadness. Thus, we see
Rosaline’s influence quickly
fading and Juliet’s entrance
signaling a new phase of
Romeo’s life.
“Within this infant rind of this
small flower/ Poison hath
residence and medicine
power”(2.3#23-24)
“In the miniscule petal of this
tiny flower/ is both poison and
medicine”
Characterization
Friar Lawrence emphasizes that
even pretty little things like the
flower can hold both good and
evil. He also uses this wisdom to
warn Romeo of his complete
obsession with Juliet.
“Thy old groans ring yet in
my ancient ears/Lo, here upon
thy cheek the stain doth sit/ Of
an old tear that is not washed
off yet”(2.3#75-77)
“My old ears can still remember
your groans from a few days
ago/ and I can still see/ your old
tears”
Romeo’s motivation is his love
with Juliet, which allows him to
quickly forget about Rosaline.
Friar Lawrence uses his wisdom
to convince Romeo to take it
slower.
“They stumble that run fast”
(2.3#97)
“Those who run quickly will
stumble”
Analogy
Like the article on teenage minds,
Romeo only sees what he wantsto be with Juliet- and runs to it
fast, not realizing the chance he
could stumble.
Scene 4
Mercutio teases Romeo about love after finally finding him. Mercutio then makes bad
jokes about the Nurse, who’s come to act as Juliet’s messenger and Romeo asks her to bring a
rope ladder to Juliet’s room so he can climb up. He also arranges the marriage with Friar
Lawrence and the Nurse.
Quote
Literary Device/Translation
Why it is important
“More than Prince of Cats.
Oh, he’s the courageous/
captain of compliments. He
fights as you sing/
prick-song, keeps time,
distance, and proportion.
” (2.4#20-22)
“More than a trickster. He’s very
skilled at dueling”
Allusion
Mercutio references the medieval
fable- Reynard the Fox. In the
fable, Reynard always tries to
fool the plans of a wolf, along
with his animal friends, like
Tybalt, the prince of cats.
Violence is also commonly
involved. Mercutio explains that
Tybalt is not just another Capulet,
not just another opponent for
Romeo.
“Dido a dowdy, Cleopatra a
gypsy, Helen and Hero/
hildings and harlots, Thisbe a
grey eye or so, but not/
to the purpose.
” (2.4#43-45)
“Dido was dull, Cleopatra was
weird, Helen and Hero were
harlots, Thisbe had beautiful
eyes, but it all doesn’t matter”
Mercutio is still mocking Romeo
for his love of Rosaline, but it
still applies to Juliet. Romeo’s
love is so specific that he can’t
give it up even in the presence of
legendary female figures.
“Doth not rosemary and/
Romeo begin both with a
letter”(2.4#209-210)
Metaphor
The Nurse compares Romeo to
rosemary, an herb used for
medicinal and culinary purposes.
But like Friar Lawrence’s words
in the previous act, rosemary
does have serious side effects
when taken in large amounts. It
also causes miscarriage in high
amounts. Like the herb, the
Nurse knows Romeo’s presence
is good for Juliet, but if his visits
to Juliet become interminable,
he’ll start to become harmful.
Scene 5
The Nurse returns after 3 hours, very tired from walking. Juliet pesters her to deliver
news of Romeo quickly and the Nurse is slightly annoyed. Eventually Juliet gets the message of
the marriage with Friar Lawrence.
Quote
Literary Device/Translation
Why it is important
“Had she affections and warm
youthful blood/ she would be
as swift in motion as a
ball”(2.5#12-13)
“If she was passionate and
young/ she’d be as quick as a
ball”
Metaphor
Juliet compares youth to a ball.
Repeatedly thrown on short
journeys through the air, the ball
experiences momentary
happiness before dropping back
to the ground again.
“He’s not the flower of
courtesy/ but I’ll warrant him
as gentle as a
lamb”(2.5#45-46)
“His manners aren’t as good as
perfect as flower, but he means
as gentle as a lamb”
Symbolism
Characterization
The Nurse compares Romeo to a
lamb, an animal which
symbolizes gentleness but also
innocence and naivete. Perhaps
The Nurse also mentions how
Romeo might be slightly
immature due to his manners.
Together, this is the description
of a young mind, a foolish one
which is ignorant and innocent of
danger.
Scene 6
Juliet and Romeo meet with Friar Lawrence to get married, though the friar provides
some warning.
Quote
Literary Device/Translation
Why it is important
“The sweetest honey/ is
loathsome in his own
deliciousness/ and in the taste
confounds the
appetite”(2.6#11-13)
“Even the sweetest honey/ is
despicable in how good it is/ and
then the taste will also confuse
your appetite”
When Romeo is too used to
Juliet, everything around him
will taste bland, including friends
and family. Like the article on
adolescent brains, Romeo will
become addicted to Juliet just
like flies stuck on the sweet
honey. Even when Romeo is with
Juliet, the feelings of love are
almost synthetic in how perfect it
is.
“O, so light a foot/will ne’er
wear out the everlasting flint/
A lover may bestride the
gossamers [...] and yet not fall,
so light is vanity”(2.6#16-17)
“Juliet’s carefree walking/ will
never endure the hard road that
is life/ she can even walk on a
spider’s web/ thus shows the
insignificance of fleeting
emotions”
Metaphor
Friar Lawrence warns of the
transience of love. The beauty of
love can only be experienced in a
few precious moments, like being
able to freely run upon the spider
webs. After that, Romeo and
Juliet will find themselves
helplessly grasping for the same
web, only to find it gone. While
Juliet is floating above the road
which is life, she can no longer
speak with the regular walkers of
the road, like her family. In other
words, Juliet won’t be able to
experience anything other than
love, which is also fleeting.
Act 3
In a fight, both Tybalt, Mercutio killed, Romeo banished
Scene 1
In a street fight between two families, Mercutio is mortally wounded. Romeo then kills
Tybalt, murderer of Mercutio and Romeo is banished by the prince.
Quote
Literary Device/Translation
Why it is important
“Thy head is as full of
quarrels as/ an egg is full of
meat, and yet thy head
hath been/ beaten as addle as
an egg for
quarreling.”(3.1#23-25)
“Your head is as full of worry/
as an egg full of food/ and your
head has been beaten/ like a
whipped egg”
Mercutio compares Benvolio’s
worry to a whipped egg. All of
the reasons to be provoked have
been mixed and meddled by their
ancient grudge, and now
Benvolio is overly worrisome for
no reason. This shows Mercutio’s
knowledge of the family feud,
confidence and Benvolio’s
seeking for peace.
“Tybalt, you ratcatcher, will
you walk? [...] Good king of
cats, nothing but one of your
nine lives, that I mean to make
bold withal, and, as/ you shall
use me hereafter, dry beat the
rest of the/ eight”(3.1#76-81)
“Tybalt, will you fight? I’ll take
one of your nine lives, or maybe
the other eight”
“A plague o’ both
your houses! Zounds, a dog, a
rat, a mouse, a cat to
scratch a man to death! [...]
Why the devil came you
between us/ I was hurt under
your arm”(3.1#104-106)
“Curse both of you!/ By god, a
rat, a mouse, a bastard cat has
scratched me to death!/ Why did
you come between us?/ I was
hurt under your support”
Characterization
Foreshadowing
Metaphor
Pun
Characterization
Tybalt’s shared name with the
King of Cats is ridiculed by
Mercutio. Mercutio describes
how he might take one his life,
perhaps injuring him or going for
a dueling move. He’ll see how
Tybalt responds, and maybe
spare the other eight lives he has
as a cat. This shows Mercutio’s
confidence and perhaps slight
mercy towards Tybalt.
Mercutio is angry at both Romeo
and Tybalt. First, he expresses
that he shouldn’t have died to a
“scratch” from a rat, mouse, or
cat, all descriptions of Tybalt.
Then Mercutio exclaims that it
was under Romeo’s arm, his
help, that he was hurt. All of this
makes Romeo feel very guilty for
what he’s done. Perhaps this also
foreshadows the loss both
families will feel when both
lovers die.
“Oh, I am fortune’s fool!”
(3.1#138)
“Oh, the gods of fortune see me
as a fool and punish me so!”
Romeo calls himself Fortune's
fool. He’s referencing the
prologue, where it is revealed the
ill fate of the lovers. Romeo feels
as if fate is trying to tear the two
apart, showing some signs of
personal agency. Indeed, just
after getting married, Romeo
might be put to death.
Scene 2
In a street fight between two families, Mercutio is mortally wounded. Romeo then kills
Tybalt, murderer of Mercutio and Romeo is banished by the prince.
Quote
Literary Device/Translation
Why it is important
“Gallop apace, you
fiery-footed steeds/ Toward
Phoebus’ lodging. Such a
wagoner/ As Phaeton would
whip you to the west/ And
bring in cloudy night
immediately.” (3.2#1-4)
“Go faster/ my fiery horses/
towards the night/ Phaeton,
Helios’ sun would’ve let night
come across immediately”
In Greek mythology, Phaeton
longed to drive the chariot which
held the sun, but he wasn’t
skilled, losing control of the
horses. Juliet says that the
youthfulness and inexperience of
Phaeton would’ve caused night,
Phoebus’ lodging, to come
quicker. Juliet wants night to
come so that Romeo could meet
her, but she doesn’t realize that
Phaeton was eventually punished
by death, and both Romeo and
Juliet’s foolishness may end up
the same fate as Phaeton.
"Hood my unmann'd blood,
bating in my cheeks”(3.2#14)
“Control my untamed blood,
which is fluttering rapidly in my
cheeks”
Metaphor
Allusion
In falconry, a noble English
sport, a falcon is unmanned if it
is untamed, trying to escape its
keeper by bating. In this case, the
keeper is Romeo, and Juliet seeks
Romeo’s quick entrance to
control the falcon, or Juliet, with
a hood. The comparison of Juliet
to a falcon perhaps symbolizes
her wish to be free from the two
family’s feud, since falcons fly
very fast.
“Dove-feathered raven/
wolvish-ravening lamb!/
[...] O nature, what hadst thou
to do in hell/ When thou didst
bower the spirit of a fiend/In
moral paradise of such sweet
flesh?”(3.2#79-88)
“A raven with feathers of a
dove/ a lamb with wolves’
appetite/ nature, why were you
in the depths of hell/ when you
put a devil/ into the perfect body
of Romeo?”
Juliet, like Romeo, is asking why
fate has placed Romeo in such a
terrible position. She claims that
nature would have to be in hell
for it to produce such a diabolical
tragedy. This shows Juliet’s
intelligence and some personal
agency.
“Some word there was, worser
than Tybalt’s death/ That
murdered me. I would forget it
fain/ But oh, it presses to my
memory/ Like damnèd guilty
deeds to sinners’
minds.”(3.2#119-123)
“There’s words worse than
Tybalt’s death/ that give me
grief. I would gladly forget it/
but it stays in my memory/ like
the way guilty deeds obsess
sinners’ minds”
Metaphor
Foreshadowing
Juliet compares herself to a
sinner, showing that she realizes
that she shouldn’t be happy for
the death of Tybalt. But sinners
must be punished, and this quote
also deals with the blame for
Juliet and Romeo’s death. Maybe
it was punishment for the feud or
the two’s impulsivity.
“Wash they his wounds with
tears? Mine shall be spent/
when theirs are dry for
Romeo’s banishment”
(3.2#141-142)
Foreshadowing
Friar Lawrence previously noted
the existence of salt in tears. Salt
is very painful on wounds.
Juliet’s omen of far worse pain to
come foreshadows more violence
in the future. She also
emphasizes her own sadness by
criticizing her parents’ grief.
Scene 3
Friar Lawrence convinces Romeo to avoid suicide after learning of his punishment of
banishment instead of death.
Quote
Literary Device/Translation
Why it is important
“Taking thy part, hath rushed
aside the law/ and turned that
black word “death” to
“banishment””(3.3#27-28)
“The prince in his kindness
defended you/ and gave you
banishment instead of death”
The black death was a period of
mass death in Europe. In this
way, the friar emphasizes how
bad death was and how
banishment was better.
“Flies may do this, but I from
this must fly/They are free
men, but I am banishèd.
”(3.3#43-44)
“Even flies may touch Juliet, but
from her I must go away/ even
the flies are free, but I am
banished”
Metaphor
Romeo compares Paris to the fly.
He mustn’t let Juliet be touched
by something as dirty as an
insect, but he must do so because
he is banished. Romeo expresses
his intense frustration in this
quote.
“Thy noble shape is but a
form of wax”(3.3#136)
“Your nobility is made of wax”
In response to Romeo’s comment
about letting Paris touch Juliet,
Friar Lawrence compares Romeo
to Paris. Romeo’s nobility, that
is, his beauty and intelligence are
often just like wax, melting when
provoked, like with Tybalt.
Similarly, Paris’ love and beauty
is also quite superficial.
“Thy wit, that ornament to
shape and love/ Misshapen in
the conduct of them both/ Like
powder in a skill-less soldier’s
flask/Is set afire by thine own
ignorance/”(3.3#141-144)
“Your brain, the key to your
beauty and romanticism/ is
unable to handle the latter/ and
like an unskilled soldier/ you’ll
self-destruct with your own
gunpowder”
Metaphor
Friar Lawrence describes
Romeo’s wit as self-destructing
stupidity, unable to handle the
power of his love. Friar
Lawrence recognizes Romeo’s
disorderly thought process and
scolds him for it. Perhaps Romeo
is to blame for not following his
instructions.
Scene 4
Lord Capulet agrees to let Paris marry Juliet.
Quote
Literary Device/Translation
Why it is important
“Look you, she loved her
kinsman Tybalt dearly/
And so did I:--Well, we were
born to die.”(3.4#3-4)
“You see, Juliet loved Tybalt
dearly/ and so did I- well, dying
is inevitable”
Lord Capulet seems to be a little
irritated by Paris' insensitivity to
the family’s grieving, but still
wishes Juliet to marry. He thinks
Paris may not be the most polite
person, but is a suitable noble to
continue the Capulet bloodline.
Capulet’s attempts to teach Paris
to be more respectful is also
apparent when he decrees that
the wedding party will be small
to not attract too much attention.
Scene 5
Romeo and Juliet meet one last time. Capulet asks Juliet what she thinks of the marriage
with Paris, and she expresses discontent. Capulet explodes in anger for Juliet’s ingratitude.
Quote
Literary Device/Translation
Why it is important
“It was the lark, the herald of
the morn/ no nightingale.
Look, love, what envious
streaks/ Do lace the severing
clouds in yonder east [...]
Some say the lark and loathèd
toad change eyes./ Oh, now I
would they had changed
voices too”(3.5#6-32)
“It was the morning bird, the
lark/ that sang, no nightingale.
Look at the envious streaks of
light/ striking through the clouds
in the east [...] some say the lark
has the eyes of a loathsome toad/
but now I wish the beautiful
voice could be replaced a sad
croaking as well”
Metaphor, Foreshadowing
The night is the lovers’ savior- it
is the last time when Romeo can
safely meet Juliet. Therefore, he
describes the signs of morning as
“envious” and “severing.” Juliet
notes that the lark has shared
features with the toad, an animal
which she also used to describe
Paris. Juliet foreshadows the
entrance of Paris in the morning.
She wishes that the lark not sing
so beautifully, because it is a sad
moment between her and Romeo.
“Hunting thee hence with
hunt's-up to the day" (3.5.34)
“You are hunted as a
consequence of hunt’s-up of the
day”
Hunt’s-up is the celebratory start
of a hunting day. However, it is
also a celebration of marriage for
newlyweds. Juliet describes the
lark’s singing as welcoming the
hunters and the morning. It
seems ill-fated that the couple’s
hunt’s-up celebration for their
marriage must introduce violence
instead of love. Juliet also
describes Romeo as someone
being hunted, seemingly pushing
away the blame from Romeo.
“More light and light, more
dark and dark our
woes”(3.5#35-36)
“The closer it is to morning, the
deeper our sadness”
Irony
Juliet uses irony to emphasize the
sadness of the morning. Fate has
only given them happiness in the
darkest hour, showing more
elements of Romeo and Juliet’s
ill fate. It also contrasts opposite
feelings, like the mingling of
both love and hate. Finally, the
coming of the morning
symbolizes a new era, meaning
the play’s climax is near.
“The bark thy body is/
Sailing in this salt flood. [...]
/Without a sudden calm will
overset/Thy tempest-tossèd
body.”(3.5#138-142)
“Your body is like a ship/ sailing
in this sea of sadness/ without a
sudden calm/ you will be tossed
in the tempest”
Lord Capulet discusses Juliet’s
personal agency while trying to
convince her of the benefits of a
husband. Recall Romeo’s
comparison of himself to a ship,
saying he’ll manage whatever
fate brings him. Capulet
describes that Juliet’s fate has
brought her a tempest. Capulet
implies that Juliet herself cannot
calm the tempest, and will tip
over. This implies that Juliet has
no personal agency.
“Out, you green sickness,
carrion! Out, you baggage!
You tallow
face!”(3.5#161-162)
“Get out you sickly, almost dead
thing!/ You are like my heavy
baggage, with an unattractive
face!”
Foreshadowing
Lord Capulet describes Juliet as
almost dead. This signifies the
book’s close proximity to the
climax, when both lovers die.
However, Capulet also describes
Juliet as having a sickness, which
means maybe her death wasn’t
her fault. The green sickness,
maybe representing hate or even
envy between families, has
caused Juliet’s death.
“And that we have a curse in
having her/ Out on her,
hilding!”(3.5#174-175)
“When Juliet was born, we were
cursed!/ Get out, you
good-for-nothing!”
Foreshadowing
Lord Capulet describes Juliet’s
curse. This bad omen which was
meant to harm Juliet will soon
turn back to harm the Lord after
Juliet kills herself. Capulet's
particular choice of insult also
emphasizes how Juliet was
ill-fated from the start. Without
knowing of Juliet’s own
misfortunes, Capulet describes
them aptly.
Act 4
Juliet carries out the plan of faking her death.
Scene 1
Paris and Juliet go to Friar Lawrence. In private, Juliet threatens to suicide if Friar
Lawrence does not find a way to avoid Paris’ marriage with Juliet. The Friar plans Romeo and
Juliet’s escape to Mantua.
Quote
Literary Device/Translation
Why it is important
“For Venus smiles not in a
house of tears”(4.1#8)
“Love does not shine during
periods of sadness”
Allusion
Paris describes the house of
Capulets as in tears, but the
Capulet name is something
which Juliet cannot change, and
thus will always be in tears. The
element of fate is emphasized by
the supernatural god of love,
Venus.
“If I do so, it will be of more
price/Being spoke behind your
back than to your face./
[...]The tears have got small
victory by that/ For it was bad
enough before their
spite.”(4.1#28-32)
“I would show more love if I/
said I loved you behind your
back [...] my tears haven’t made
me much worse, since I was
already ugly”
Pun
Characterization
Juliet tries to avoid telling Paris
that she loves him because she
only loves Romeo. Juliet also
portrays herself as an ugly, frail
person to try and dissuade Paris
from marrying her. Juliet’s
dialogue still remains polite, so it
shows her intelligence and
restraint.
“It may be so, for it is not
mine own.”(4.1#37)
“My face is not my own”
Symbolism
The face and its expressions
often only show superficial
emotions. Juliet refers to
slandering her superficial face,
one which she uses to hide her
emotions towards Paris. However
this also shows a lack of personal
agency because Juliet can’t even
control her face.
“O Juliet, I already know thy
grief./ It strains me past the
compass of my wits.”(4.1#48)
“Your grief/ goes past the regular Friar Lawrence describes Juliet’s
compass of wit”
love and grief as past the regular
Metaphor
compass of wits. Only something
supernatural and otherworldly
can avoid the compass. This
suggests Juliet’s love isn’t natural
and thus she has no personal
agency. Perhaps her story is just
a lesson to humanity by the gods.
“And ere this hand, by thee to
Romeo sealed,/Shall be the
label to another deed,/Or my
true heart with treacherous
revolt/ Turn to another, this
shall slay them
both.”(4.1#56-60)
“Before my hand, which has
been sealed in marriage with
Romeo/ or my heart will be
betrayed to another man/ I wil
use them to/ kill myself”
Characterization
Juliet promises to suicide if she
ever marries with Paris. Juliet
will hold the knife(this) with her
hand to kill both her heart and
her hand(them both). Perhaps
Juliet is being overly dramatic,
but then again, she already
married Romeo and marriage
was very sacred(divorces
uncommon) in the Shakespearan
era.
Scene 2
Lord Capulet prepares the wedding party.
Quote
Literary Device/Translation
Why it is important
“Marry, sir, ’tis an ill cook that
cannot lick his own/
fingers. Therefore he that
cannot lick his fingers goes/
not with me.
”(4.2#6-8)
“Only the bad cooks won’t/ lick
his own fingers. Those who
don’t/ will not be hired”
Metaphor
Shakespeare expresses that
people who are not willing to
taste what they do to others are
bad people. In the end, both
families do feel a similar loss
Romeo and Juliet feel when Paris
wants to marry. This shows that
they are capable of empathy and
none of the main characters are
inherently evil.
“My heart is wondrous light/
“My heart’s burdens are taken
Lord Capulet exclaims that
since this same wayward girl
is so reclaimed”(4.2#48-49)
away/ ever since disobedient
Juliet has been fixed”
Foreshadowing
something has been removed
from his heart, making it light.
This foreshadows the eventual
absence of Juliet, something
heavy in Lord Capulet’s heart.
Scene 3
Paris and Juliet go to Friar Lawrence. In private, Juliet threatens to suicide if Friar
Lawrence does not find a way to avoid Paris’ marriage with Juliet. The Friar plans Romeo and
Juliet’s escape to Mantua.
Quote
Literary Device/Translation
Why it is important
“For I have need of many
orisons/To move the heavens
to smile upon my state/Which,
well thou know’st, is cross and
full of sin.”(4.3#3-5)
“I need many prayers/ to please
the heavens/ because I have
sinned many times”
Personification
Juliet emphasizes the
omnipresence of luck and the
supernatural in her world. She
also restates the bad omens
which she has experienced.
However, she also mentions that
she does have power to change
her “state” by praying.
“I have a faint cold fear thrills
through my veins/That almost
freezes up the heat of
life.”(4.3#16-17)
“The iciness of fear stabs my
veins/ and almost kills me”
Metaphor
Ice is slippery, cold and
dangerous. Juliet compares fear
to the dangers of ice, which she
feels is comparable to the
butterflies in her stomach. Like
ice, she feels her fear might drive
her to crash.
“what with loathsome
smells/And shrieks like
mandrakes torn out of the
earth/That living mortals,
hearing them, run
mad—”(4.3#47-49)
“The coffin has loathsome
smells/ and the souls scream like
mandrakes torn out of the earth/
the souls are crazy in there”
Simile
In medieval legends, pulling out
Mandrake roots was said to
release screams of agony and
despair because the roots looked
like a baby. Juliet mentions that
her entrance into the world of the
dead may unnecessarily arouse
them, which will cause much
suffering.
“Stay, Tybalt, stay!/
Romeo, Romeo, Romeo!
Here's drink. I drink to
“Tybalt will have to wait to see
me in the afterlife/ Romeo! I’ll
drink this liquid to thee!”
Juliet describes that Tybalt will
have to wait for her death. This
implies that her death is near,
thee.”(4.3#59-60)
Pun
only being postponed a little bit.
In this quote, Juliet decides that
she will not choose death, but
chooses life- Romeo.
Scene 4
It is the day before the wedding party. Capulet hurriedly shouts directions for the
servingmen.
Quote
Literary Device/Translation
Why it is important
“They call for dates and
quinces in the pastry”(4.4.2)
“They’d like their pastry to wish
the bride and groom a long and
happy marriage”
Symbolism
Both the date and the quince are
symbols of love and fertility.
However, when they are chopped
up and baked, it appears to
foreshadow how Juliet’s potential
for love is also chopped up and
burned in the oven. In other
words, the marriage marks the
destruction of Juliet’s love.
“Come, stir, stir, stir! The
second cock hath crowed”
(Shakespeare 4.4.3)
“Hurry! The rooster has already
crowed twice”
Allusion
This is a biblical reference. When
a rooster crows thrice, it is a sign
of repeated sin and foreshadows
something ominous to come. In
Capulet’s case, the rooster has
only crowed twice, which means
the climax is ominously near.
Foreshadowing
“A jealous hood, a jealous
hood! [...] Mass, and well
said! A merry whoreson,
ha!”(4.4#14-23)
“My wife is so jealous! [...]
Good joke you bastard!”
Characterization
When Lord Capulet’s wife makes
a joke to warn Lord Capulet to
not cheat, he isn’t amused, but
when the serving men similarly
assault his authority, he praises
their wittiness.
Literary Device/Translation
Why it is important
Scene 5
Quote
“Death lies on her like an
untimely frost/ Upon the
sweetest flower of all the
field.”(4.5#33-34)
“Death has taken Juliet like an
untimely frost/ on the sweetest
flower on the field”
Metaphor
Lord Capulet compares Juliet to
the sweetest flower on the field.
The comparison to a plant shows
Juliet’s lack of personal agency.
Furthermore, the frost is
something which Juliet cannot
control, adding to the point of
fate.
“Have I thought long to see
this morning’s face/ And doth
it give me such a sight as
this?”(4.5#47-48)
“I’ve longed for this morning/
and now it gives me a sight like
this?”
In the prior acts Juliet describes
her hate and sorrow for the
morning, and now her family
experiences it too. Her family
seems to be closer to the
realization of Juliet’s love.
“She’s not well married that
lives married long/But she’s
best married that dies married
young/Dry up your tears and
stick your rosemary/On this
fair corse”(4.5#83-86)
“It is not good for a long, bad
marriage/ it is best to die when
the marriage is young and
happy/ dry up your tears and
give rosemary/ to the corpse of
Juliet”
Foreshadowing, Symbolism
Rosemary has been a big symbol
for love in the play. Friar
Lawrence encourages the family
to celebrate Juliet’s love, but it
has a double meaning. Lawrence
is actually referencing Juliet’s
love with Romeo, which is still
good and young. This also
foreshadows Juliet’s death.
Sidenote: marriage was
irreversible at the time, which
emphasizes Juliet’s desperation.
“The heavens do lour upon
you for some ill./
Move them no more by
crossing their high
will.”(4.5#100-101)
“The heavens look badly upon
you/ Appease them by following
their will, and life will be better”
Friar Lawrence appears to be
criticizing the family’s ignorance
of their environment, only
making decisions for their own
selfishness, like Lord Capulet
arranging Juliet’s marriage and
the two families ignoring the
Prince’s warnings against
violence. However, Friar
Lawrence also communicates the
message that the family’s
suffering is made worse by their
grief.
“Ay, by my troth, the case may “By god, the case might be
be amended.”(4.5#105)
fixed”
Pun
The musician’s use of the word
case can have 3 meanings: an
instrument case, a coffin, or the
general situation. The musician
laments that his broken
instrument case might be
mended, but the general situation
could also be mended by fixing
the coffin.
“Why “silver sound”? Why
“music with her silver/
sound”? What say you, Simon
Catling? [...] It is “music with
her silver sound” because/
musicians have no gold for
sounding.”(4.5#135-140)
“Why do songs describe music
as silver?/ What do you say,
Catling player?/ Music is silver/
because musicians do not have
enough money for gold.”
The serving-man Peter does not
rhyme in his dialogue, showing
his lower class. However, he
manages to insult the lowly
musicians for having no money.
Peter calls them (First Name)
(Instrument they play) to show
his dominance (he doesn’t even
know their names).
Act 5
Juliet carries out the plan of faking her death.
Scene 1
Paris and Juliet go to Friar Lawrence. In private, Juliet threatens to suicide if Friar
Lawrence does not find a way to avoid Paris’ marriage with Juliet. The Friar plans Romeo and
Juliet’s escape to Mantua.
Quote
Literary Device/Translation
Why it is important
“I dreamt my lady came and
found me dead—/ Strange
dream, that gives a dead man
leave to think—/ And
breathed such life with kisses
in my lips”(5.1#6-9)
“In my dream, Juliet finds me
dead/ strange, that I can be dead
and still conscious/ anyway,
Juliet breathes life into my lips”
Irony, Foreshadowing
This piece of obvious
foreshadowing is actually very
ironic. It is Romeo who comes to
Juliet, who looks dead. Instead of
giving Juliet a kiss of life, Rome
kills himself, causing Juliet’s
suicide as well.
“I do beseech you, sir, have
patience./Your looks are pale
and wild, and do import/
Some
misadventure.”(5.1#28-30)
“I beg you sir, to have patience/
You look pale and wild which
can cause/ some injury”
Characterization
Romeo is described as pale and
wild. He probably fears, but
anticipates his inevitable death.
He is scared, but is sure it is a
good decision. Romeo is also
warned of his impulsivity.
However, Romeo has always
ignored the advice of others, and
his habits cannot be changed by a
single comment from the servant
Balthasar.
“Hast thou no letters to me
from the friar?” (Shakespeare
5.1.32).
“Didn’t the friar write to me?”
Characterization
Romeo makes sure that the Friar
hasn’t written to him about Juliet.
This shows that Romeo isn’t a
complete fool who has no control
over impulses.
“An if a man did need a
poison now—/Whose sale is
present death in Mantua—/
Here lives a caitiff wretch
“If I needed poison/ which is
forbidden to sell in Mantua/
here’s a poor man which would
break the law”
This quote deals with the blame
of Romeo’s death. Romeo uses
the apothecary man’s poor
circumstances to manipulate him
would sell it him.”(5.1#53-55)
Characterization
into breaking the law. This takes
the blame off the apothecary
man.
“That the life-weary taker may
fall dead,/And that the trunk
may be discharged of breath/
As violently as hasty powder
fired/ Doth hurry from the
fatal cannon’s
womb.”(5.1#66-69)
“Whoever takes the poison will
die/ their body stops breathing/
as quickly as a shot /from a
cannon”
Metaphor
Romeo compares himself to
many things. Romeo, who will
take the poison, is described as
life-weary. Romeo is certainly
tired of his only interest in lifehis love, being constantly
interrupted by fate. Romeo is
also compared to a cannon. This
might mean that Romeo’s death
would be very explosive and
cause lasting damage to both the
Capulets and the Montagues.
“Doing more murder in this
loathsome world/ Than these
poor compounds that thou
mayst not sell.”(Shakespeare
5.185-186)
“Money does more damage to
this terrible world/ than the
poisons that you are forbidden to
sell”
Characterization
Romeo makes many bold
statements here. His claim about
money is especially true because
the two feuding families are
wealthy ones, something which
must be a partial driver of the
intense hate. Romeo also laments
the world is loathsome, which
shows that he is tired of the fate
around him constantly violating
his love. He wishes to have some
personal agency for himself.
Finally, this also emphasizes the
idea that Romeo is manipulating
the apothecary man,
sympathizing with his “poor”
compounds.
“Come, cordial and not
poison, go with me/ To Juliet's
grave, for there must I use
thee.”(5.1#90-91)
“Come liquid, I see you not as
poison/ Come to Juliet’s grave,
where I will use you”
Metaphor
Romeo does not see the poison as
harmful because it is his key to
be reunited with Juliet in the
afterlife. Though it is a
dramatized play, Romeo’s talking
to himself suggests he may be
suffering from acute grief,
something which doesn’t give
too much personal agency.
Scene 2
Friar John tells Friar Lawrence that he couldn’t deliver the letter. Friar Lawrence decides
to go to the coffin alone.
Quote
Literary Device/Translation
Why it is important
“Going to find a barefoot
brother out/ One of our order,
to associate me”(5.2#5-6)
“I went to find another friar/ out
of our order to help me”
Friar John is not to blame for
looking for help. Recall that the
road from Verona to Mantua is
45 kilometers and the Friars
would probably have to walk
barefoot. They might get robbed
or hurt if they went alone.
“Here in this city visiting the
sick/ and finding him, the
searchers of the town/
suspecting that we both were
in a house/ where the
infectious pestilence did reign/
sealed up the doors”(5.2#7-11)
“He was visiting the sick/ the
town health inspectors thought/
we could spread/ the plague/ and
didn’t let us through”
Symbolism
The infectious pestilence is a
symbol for the cruelty of fate.
Like a random, erratic, deadly
disease, Romeo and Juliet have
been stricken with many
unfortunate events which
ultimately lead to their deaths.
“The letter was not nice but
full of charge,/ Of dear import,
and the neglecting it/ May do
much danger.”(5.2#18-20)
“The letter wasn’t just for
manners but full of meaning/
about something very important
and not sending it/ will be grave
danger”
Dramatic Irony
Friar Lawrence’s letter was not
simply “nice,” a trivial get well
message or invitation to a party.
Friar John isn’t aware of the
criticality of his honest mistake
and the interaction with Friar
Lawrence is an example of
dramatic irony.
“But I will write again to
Mantua,/ And keep her at my
cell till Romeo come./ Poor
living corpse, closed in a dead
man's tomb!”(5.2#28-30)
“I’ll write to Romeo again/ I’ll
keep Juliet in my place until
Romeo comes/ Poor Juliet,
enclosed in a dark tomb!”
Dramatic Irony
Notice that Friar Lawrence does
not know Romeo’s belief that
Juliet is dead. Indeed, the
unfortunate fact that the servant
Balthasar was able to get to
Mantua before the Friar knew
what was wrong was a cruel twist
of fate. When Romeo arrives at
the tomb, everything the Friar
has planned will go to waste. But
he has no idea of the great
urgency that the situation is in.
Instead of 3 hours, Friar
Lawrence must get to the tomb
before Romeo does.
Scene 3
Romeo and Juliet die.
Quote
Literary Device/Translation
Why it is important
“The time and my intents are
savage, wild/ More fierce and
more inexorable far/ Than
empty tigers or the roaring
sea.”(5.3#37-39)
“My mood and motivations are
savage and wild,/ far fiercer and
unstoppable/ than hungry tigers
or the roaring sea.”
To reiterate, Balthasar is merely a
lowly servant and probably does
not understand Romeo’s full love
story. He is a person whose
desires are only physiological,
meaning it is hard to blame the
poor servant for not intervening,
especially when his master, the
person he depends upon for
money has become so ill-hearted
and threatening.
“So shalt thou show me
friendship. Take thou that.
[He gives BALTHASAR
money]”(5.3#41)
“That’s how you will show me
your friendship. Take
this(money)”
Symbolism
Romeo previously mentioned
that money was the source of all
evil. Balthasar’s acceptance of
the money and Romeo’s order is
the symbolic acceptance of evil
from Romeo. This implies
Romeo had fault in his and
Juliet’s death.
“I think/ He told me Paris
should have married
Juliet./Said he not so? Or did I
dream it so?”(5.3#77-79)
“I think/ Balthasar told me Paris
would have married Juliet? Or
did he? Maybe I was dreaming?
Symbolism
The play frequently uses the
symbolic importance of dreams.
It’s been established that dreams,
formed by the meddling from the
supernatural Queen Mab, are
very powerful. This suggests the
power of fate, personified in the
mischievous Queen Mab.
“Thou desperate pilot, now at
once run on/The dashing rocks
thy seasick, weary bark/
Here’s to my
love!”(5.3#117-119)
“You desperate pilot, whose ship
is/ crashed on the dashing rocks.
Your seasick, weary body/
Here’s to our love!”
Metaphor
Romeo compares himself to a
ship again. In the previous acts,
Romeo lets the supernatural force
“drive his sail,” but clearly this
has led him and Juliet to crash.
Both are sick and tired of their
journey, which helps explains
their suicide.
“As I did sleep under this yew
tree here,/I dreamt my master
and another fought,/ And that
my master slew
him.”(5.3#141-143)
“As I slept under the yew tree/ I
dreamed that Romeo and
someone else fought/ and
Romeo won”
Symbolism
The yew tree symbolizes
immortality, death and rebirth. In
the story, dreams have also been
accurate omens. Perhaps
Romeo’s servant Balthasar is
saying that though Romeo will
physically die, his ideal of love
will far outlast his physical body
and thus achieve immortality.
Indeed, this is really true since
we are still reading about him
today.
“ Lady, come from that nest/
Of death, contagion, and
unnatural sleep.”
(5.3#156-159)
“Juliet, come from your resting
place/ A coffin of death, illness
and unnatural sleep”
Metaphor, Foreshadowing
Friar Lawrence previously stated
it was an ill choice to try and
mess with fate- that is, doing the
unnatural. Clearly Juliet does not
belong in the resting place of
death and illness as something
alive. Her sleep is also induced
unnaturally. It seems Juliet’s fate
isn’t looking too good.
“Yea, noise? Then I’ll be brief.
O happy dagger,/ This is thy
sheath. There rust and let me
die.”(5.3#174-175)
“There’s noise? Then this will be
quick. Happy dagger/ Stabbing
me is where you belong. Now let
me die”
Symbolism
This quote explores the
contradiction of love and hate.
Juliet uses violence to end
herself, a symbol of faithful love.
She refers to herself being the
sheath, which has two meanings.
It means she could be the source
of the dagger, or the source of the
violence, but it also means that
she, the symbol of love, is the
target of the dagger.
“Here lies the county slain/
“Paris is dead/ and Juliet is
The watchmen realize that
And Juliet bleeding, warm and newly bleeding/ but she’d been
newly dead/ Who here hath
in the tomb for two days”
lain these two days
buried.—”(5.3#180-182)
something is wrong because
they’d been told Juliet died two
days ago, but it looks like she is
freshly dead. Balthasar, Romeo’s
servant must have also seen this
and discovered the grave mistake
he’s made.
“A glooming peace this
morning with it brings/
The sun for sorrow will not
show his head.”(5.3#316-317)
The Capulets and Montagues will
finally understand their children,
especially their dislike of the
dawn. However, it seems
contradictory that the same fate
which killed Romeo and Juliet
also mourns for them by hiding
the sun. This implies that their
deaths were meaningful- to end
the hate between their families.
“This morning brings a
glooming peace/ Because it is
sad, the sun will not show light”
Symbolism