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Shakespeare's "Romeo and Juliet" - Quotes Guide

If I profane with my unworthiest hand,
This Holy shrine, the gentle sin is this.

• First speech Romeo makes to Juliet
• Example of romantic purity

Here’s to my love!

• Romeo’s toast to Juliet as he drinks the poison.
• Mirrors that of Juliet as she drinks the sleeping potion
  

This by his voice should be a Montague

• Tybalt sees and hears Romeo at the Capulet’s party
• Capulet stops Tybalt from doing anything to Romeo
• Acts as turning point in the play, as Tybalt has an excuse to seek revenge.
  

Ah dear Juliet,
Why art thou yet so fair?

• Dramatic Irony
• Romeo sees Juliet as she is sleeping, and thinks she’s dead.
  

My will to her consent is but a part
But woo her gentle Paris, get her heart.

• Capulet addresses Paris
• Capulet is, at this point, sensitive and thoughtful towards Juliet.
  

There’s thy gold - worse poison to men’s souls

• Romeo pays apothecary for poison
• One of the rare occasions Romeo is considerate towards others.
  

I have a faint cold fear thrills through my veins
That almost freezes up the heat of life

• Moment of Juliet’s isolation before she takes the sleeping potion

O Romeo! Romeo! Wherefore art thou Romeo?
Deny thy father and refuse thy name

• Juliet believes she is in isolation - Romeo is below the balcony.
• She is mulling over the fact that Romeo is a Montague, son of the enemy.
• Offended at the fact Romeo has heard what she says
• Results in the play moving a lot faster
  

I have no joy of this contract tonight
It is too rash, too unadvised, too sudden;
Too like the lightning which doth cease to be
Ere one can say “it lightens.”

• Juliet does not wish to marry Romeo too soon: they marry the next morning…

A lightning before death

• Part of Romeo’s speech before he commits suicide

O calm, dishonourable, vile submission;

• Romeo refuses to fight Tybalt.
• Mercutio sees this as dishonourable, so fight Tybalt himself.

I think she will be ruled
In all respects by me; nay more, I doubt it not.

• Capulet asserts his authority as father.

There’s no trust,
No faith, no honesty in men.

• Nurse addresses Juliet after Romeo’s exile, and Tybalt’s death.
• Provokes Juliet into defending Romeo
  

O sweet Juliet,
Thy beauty hast made me effeminate.

• Mercutio has been killed
• Romeo to Juliet, saying he’s been weak in not defending Mercutio.
  

These violent delights have violent ends

• Friar, giving Romeo and Juliet advice.
• Ironic as forewarning becomes true.
  

What’s ion a name? That which we call a rose
By any other word would smell as sweet.

• Juliet, speaking to herself: thinks she’s alone.
• Romeo overhears her say this
• Play moves much faster as a result.
  

He shall be endured.
Why, goddamn boy! I say he shall. Go to!

• Capulet, addressing Tybalt, at the party.
• Tybalt has realised that Romeo is at the party.
  

But soft what light through yonder window breaks?
It is the east and Juliet is the sun.

• Romeo has climbed the wall, and sees Juliet on the balcony.
• Powerful metaphor of light, applied to Juliet.
  

Romeo! Romeo! Romeo! I drink to thee.

• Juliet toasts to Romeo as she drinks the sleeping potion.
• Mirrors Romeo’s toast as he is committing suicide.
• End of Juliet’s soliloquy.
  

Methinks I see the now thou art so low
As one dead in the bottom of a tomb.

• After the bedroom scene: Juliet looks down to Romeo, while he is leaving.
• Premonition of death: next time she sees him, he’s dead.
  

It is the lark that sings so out of tune

• Metaphor for the morning.

Talk not to me for I’ll not speak a word.
Do as thou wilt, for I have done with thee.

• Lady Capulet, addressing Juliet.
• Refuses to speak to Juliet for not obeying her parents.
  

For there lies Juliet, and her beauty make
This vault a feasting presence full of light.

• Romeo, in the Capulet tomb.
• Romeo sees Juliet, probably under candlelight: strong metaphors for light.
  

Let two more summers wither in their pride
Ere we think her ripe to be a bride.

• Capulet addressing Paris
• Protective and thoughtful as a father.
  

Hang thee young baggage, disobedient wretch.
Graze where you will, you shall not house with me.

• Capulet to Juliet.
• Juliet does not obey Capulet as he tries to make her marry Paris.
  

Thou wast the prettiest babe that e’er I nursed

• Nurse, to Juliet.
• Reinforces the strong bond between Juliet and the Nurse.
  

For my mind misgives
Some consequence, yet hanging in the stars,
Shall bitterly begin his fearful state
With this night’s revels.

• Romeo’s premonition of death before the party
  

Come, I’ll dispose of thee
Among a sisterhood of Holy nuns.

• Friar attempts to convince Juliet to keep her hopes up, after the death of Romeo.
• Juliet is given an option to ensure her long term safely
• Friar’s act of leaving her in the tomb leaves her vulnerable, so she commits suicide.
  

Death that hath sucked the honey of thy breath
Hath had no power yet upon thy beauty.
Thou art not yet conquered.

• Dramatic Irony
• Romeo believes Juliet to be dead as she is sleeping in the tomb.
  

I think it is best if you married with the County
Oh he’s a lovely gentleman
Romeo’s a dishclout to him

• Nurse gives unwanted advice to Juliet.
• Juliet stops confiding in the nurse.
  

O think’st thou we shall ever meet again

• Juliet to Romeo, at the balcony
• The lovers don’t meet again.
  

And in this borrowed likeness of shrunken death
Thou shalt continue two and forty hours

• Friar describes the sleeping potion to Juliet
• Juliet will sleep as if she is dead, for 42 hours.
  

O churl! Drunk all, and left no friendly drop
To help me after?

• Romeo is dead
• Juliet kisses Romeo to poison herself

My grave is like to be my wedding bed

• Premonition of death
• Juliet fears Romeo may already be married
  

Romeo: Thou chidst me oft for loving Rosaline

Friar: For doting, not for loving, pupil mine.

• Romeo confides in the friar
• Only the friar knows everything about Romeo.
  

O I am fortune’s fool!

• Romeo, having killed Tybalt.
• Romeo’s immaturity means he doesn’t’ take any blame
• Romeo blames fortune and destiny for his actions.

Shall I speak ill of him that is my husband?

• Juliet’s loyalty is to Romeo.
• This is Juliet’s reply to nurse’s suggestion to marry Paris.