MERCUTIO
No 'tis not so deep as a well, nor so wide as a church door, but 'tis enough, 'twill serve. Ask for me to-morrow, and you shall find me a grave man. I am peppered, I warrant, for this world. A plague a both your houses! . . .

In this dramatic scene from Romeo and Juliet, Mercutio's words seethe with bitterness and irony as he lies mortally wounded. His jest about the depth and width of his wound masks the gravity of his imminent death. Using wordplay, he foresees himself as a "grave man," a pun that underscores the duality of his humor and impending demise. The phrase "A plague a both your houses" is a potent curse hurled at the feuding Montagues and Capulets, whom he blames for his fate. Mercutio's words resonate with the destructive consequences of familial enmity, foreshadowing the tragedy that will later engulf both families. His cursing, repeated thrice, echoes his profound realization as he transitions from banter to bitterness, marking a turning point in the play where personal vendettas lead to irreversible loss.

JULIET
To cease thy strife, and leave me to my grief.
To-morrow will I send.
ROMEO
So strive my soul–
JULIET
A thousand times good night. [Exit above.]
ROMEO
A thousand times the worse, to want thy light.
Love goes toward love as schoolboys from their books,
But love from love, toward school with heavy looks.

In one of the most poignant exchanges between Romeo and Juliet, a tapestry of emotions unfolds. Juliet's farewell "A thousand times good night" captures the bittersweet nature of their parting. Her desire to remain with Romeo clashes with the impending separation, underlining the intensity of their young love. Romeo's response, "A thousand times the worse, to want thy light," reflects his own reluctance to part. He is acutely aware of the darkness that Juliet's absence brings, emphasizing how their love illuminates his life.

The comparison of their love to schoolboys fleeing their books highlights the natural, joyful pull of their affection, contrasting it with the reluctance of a schoolboy returning to school. This imagery underscores the youthful exuberance and innocence of their relationship, while also hinting at the inevitable weight and responsibility that their love will soon come to bear. Shakespeare masterfully captures the simultaneous joy and sorrow of love, setting the stage for the unfolding tragedy.

ROMEO
. . .
O here
Will I set up my everlasting rest;
And shake the yoke of inauspicious stars
From this world-wearied flesh. Eyes look your last.
Arms, take your last embrace. And lips, o you
The doors of breath, seal with a righteous kiss
A dateless bargain to engrossing death.
. . .

In this poignant moment from Romeo and Juliet, Romeo stands before Juliet's seemingly lifeless body and delivers his final farewell. This speech underscores the tragic irony of the situation. Romeo believes Juliet to be dead, unaware of the friar's plan. His words are laden with a sense of finality and acceptance of fate. By "shaking the yoke of inauspicious stars," Romeo seeks to defy the destiny that has been so cruel to him, choosing instead to end his suffering on his own terms. The imagery of "eyes," "arms," and "lips" serves to highlight the physical and intimate connection he yearns to maintain even in death, as he prepares to "seal with a righteous kiss" a "dateless bargain" with death. This passage encapsulates the themes of love, fate, and the tragic consequences of miscommunication.

BENVOLIO
Romeo away, be gone.
The citizens are up, and Tybalt slain.
Stand not amazed, the Prince will doom thee death,
If thou art taken. Hence, be gone, away.
ROMEO
O I am fortune's fool!

In the aftermath of the duel, Romeo's exclamation, "O I am fortune's fool!" captures his sudden realization of the gravity and futility of his actions. He finds himself at the mercy of fate, having been swept into a tragic sequence of events beyond his control. Romeo's use of "fortune's fool" underscores his helplessness, as if the whims of fate mock his intentions. Earlier, he attempted to navigate the enmity between the Montagues and Capulets through love and peace, but now, he is embroiled in the very violence he sought to avoid. This moment is pivotal, marking a shift from hopeful romance to the harsh consequences of impulsive actions, ultimately foreshadowing the tragic fate that awaits both him and Juliet.

ROMEO
He jests at scars that never felt a wound.

In these lines, Romeo reflects on the inability of his friends to understand the depth of his feelings for Juliet. Mercutio's playful mockery of Romeo's romantic inclinations, likening his love to old infatuations, prompts Romeo's realization that those who have never truly experienced the pain of love cannot comprehend its intensity. This remark contrasts the superficiality of Mercutio's jests with the profound and genuine nature of Romeo's emotions. Metaphorically, Romeo likens love's emotional turmoil to physical scars—only those who have been wounded can understand the pain left behind. This quote highlights the theme of love's transformative power, illustrating how it sets Romeo apart from his peers. It also foreshadows the tragic depth of Romeo and Juliet's bond, implying that their love, unlike prior experiences, will leave lasting marks. Thus, Shakespeare uses these lines to deepen the character of Romeo, showcasing his isolation from those who trivialize his genuine devotion.

JULIET
. . .
Dost thou love me? I know thou wilt say ay,
And I will take thy word; yet if thou swear'st,
Thou mayst prove false; at lovers' perjuries
They say Jove laughs. O gentle Romeo,
If thou dost love, pronounce it faithfully.
. . .

Juliet's words reveal her awareness of the fleeting nature of passionate promises and the potential for betrayal in love. Despite the overwhelming emotions of romance, she harbors a realistic skepticism about the vows exchanged between lovers. Her reference to "Jove," the Roman god Jupiter, who "laughs at lovers' perjuries," underscores this understanding. By invoking Jove, Juliet suggests that even the divine finds humor in the futile assurances of devoted love, highlighting the possibility of unfaithfulness. Yet amid her caution, Juliet expresses a genuine desire for sincerity from Romeo. She implores him to convey his affection truthfully, indicating a yearning for a love that is genuine and lasting. This moment captures the tension between idealistic love and human fallibility, a central theme in "Romeo and Juliet." Juliet's blend of hope and doubt reflects the complexity of youthful passion, where dreams of eternal love are shadowed by the fear of its impermanence.

ROMEO
. . .
O speak again bright angel, for thou art
As glorious to this night being o'er my head,
As is a winged messenger of heaven
Unto the white-upturned wond'ring eyes
Of mortals that fall back to gaze on him,
When he bestrides the lazy pacing clouds,
And sails upon the bosom of the air.
JULIET
O Romeo, Romeo, wherefore art thou Romeo?
Deny thy father, and refuse thy name.
Or if thou wilt not, be but sworn my love,
And I'll no longer be a Capulet.

This exchange between Romeo and Juliet highlights the central conflict of their love story: the tension between individual desire and social obligation. Juliet's words, "O Romeo, Romeo, wherefore art thou Romeo?" are often misinterpreted as her wondering where Romeo is, but she is actually lamenting the fact that he is a Montague. By asking him to "deny thy father, and refuse thy name," she wishes for him to reject his family ties, emphasizing the power of love to transcend social boundaries. Her willingness to abandon her own identity as a Capulet if Romeo pledges his love underscores her determination and the depth of her feelings. This moment captures the youthful passion and impetuousness of the lovers, foreshadowing the tragic consequences of their defiance against familial enmity.

ROMEO
. . .
Eyes look your last.
Arms, take your last embrace. And lips, O you
The doors of breath, seal with a righteous kiss
A dateless bargain to engrossing death.
Come bitter conduct, come unsavory guide,
Thou desperate pilot, now at once run on
The dashing rocks thy sea-sick weary bark.
Here's to my love! O true apothecary!
Thy drugs are quick. Thus with a kiss I die.

In this poignant scene, Romeo acknowledges his impending death with a sense of resignation and determination. As he gazes at Juliet, he bids farewell to the world and prepares to embrace the finality of death. The imagery of 'eyes' and 'arms' taking their 'last' actions emphasizes the irreversible nature of his decision. Romeo's reference to his lips as 'the doors of breath' highlights the act of sealing his fate with a 'righteous kiss', a symbolic gesture that marries love and death. The metaphor of a pilot steering a ship towards destruction underscores Romeo's acceptance of his doomed course. By addressing the apothecary's drugs as 'quick', he acknowledges their effectiveness in bringing about a swift end. This moment encapsulates the tragic irony and desperation that pervades the play, as love leads to unintended destruction.

JULIET
'Tis almost morning: I would have thee gone.
And yet no farther than a wanton's bird,
That lets it hop a little from her hand,
Like a poor prisoner in his twisted gyves,
And with a silken thread plucks it back again,
So loving-jealous of his liberty.
. . .
Good night, good night. Parting is such sweet sorrow,
That I shall say good night till it be morrow.

In these lines, Juliet expresses the profound tension between her desire for Romeo's presence and the necessity of his departure. She compares Romeo to a pet bird, symbolizing her wish to retain some control over their shared moments, even as she acknowledges the eventual need for separation. The "silken thread" suggests both fragility and attachment, highlighting the delicate balance between love's freedom and its possessiveness.

The oxymoron "sweet sorrow" captures the bittersweet nature of their parting. It reflects the intensity of their youthful passion, where even the pain of separation is intertwined with the anticipation of future reunions. Juliet's repeated "good night" signifies her reluctance to part ways, showcasing the depth of her emotional conflict and the transformative power of love in Shakespeare's tragedy.

ROMEO
O she doth teach the torches to burn bright.
It seems she hangs upon the cheek of night
As a rich jewel in an Ethiop's ear;
Beauty too rich for use, for earth too dear.
So shows a snowy dove trooping with crows,
As yonder lady o'er her fellows shows.
The measure done, I'll watch her place of stand,
And touching hers make blessed my rude hand.
Did my heart love till now? Forswear it sight,
For I ne'er saw true beauty till this night.

This passage from Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet captures the intensity and suddenness of Romeo's infatuation with Juliet. As he compares her to a "rich jewel" against the "cheek of night," he elevates her above the mundane, suggesting that her beauty is otherworldly and rare. The imagery of a "snowy dove trooping with crows" highlights Juliet's purity and uniqueness amid the ordinary. Romeo's rhetorical question, "Did my heart love till now?" marks a pivotal moment, as he dismisses his previous feelings for Rosaline, indicating a fickle yet passionate nature. This quote underscores the theme of romantic idealism in the play, illustrating how Romeo's youthful impetuosity propels the narrative towards its tragic conclusion.

CHORUS
Two households both alike in dignity,
In fair Verona where we lay our scene,
From ancient grudge break to new mutiny,
Where civil blood makes civil hands unclean.
From forth the fatal loins of these two foes,
A pair of star-crossed lovers take their life;
Whose misadventured piteous overthrows
Doth with their death bury their parents' strife.
The fearful passage of their death-marked love,
And the continuance of their parents' rage,
Which, but their children's end, naught could remove,
Is now the two hours' traffic of our stage;
The which if you with patient ears attend,
What here shall miss, our toil shall strive to mend.

In the opening lines of Shakespeare's "Romeo and Juliet," the Chorus sets the stage for the ensuing drama. The prologue encapsulates the essence of the play, foreshadowing the tragic fate of "a pair of star-crossed lovers." These opening words reveal the conflict between the Montagues and Capulets and hint at the civil unrest their feud incites. Shakespeare emphasizes the fatal consequences of this "ancient grudge," which results in the ultimate sacrifice of Romeo and Juliet, whose deaths finally reconcile their warring families. The Chorus's address to the audience, urging them to "attend," underscores the importance of the forthcoming narrative. By setting expectations for a tale of "death-marked love," Shakespeare frames the story as a poignant commentary on the destructive nature of familial discord and the redemptive power of love and tragedy.

JULIET
O swear not by the moon, th' inconstant moon,
That monthly changes in her circled orb,
Lest that thy love prove likewise variable.

In this passage from "Romeo and Juliet," Juliet cautions Romeo against swearing by the moon, as it is a symbol of changeability and inconsistency. The moon's orbit and phases transform regularly, mirroring the potential volatility of young love. Juliet seeks assurance of a more steadfast commitment from Romeo, fearing that his passionate declarations may fade as swiftly as the moon's light. Her desire for constancy reflects both her maturity and her skepticism, despite her youthful infatuation. By urging Romeo to "not swear at all," Juliet emphasizes the value of genuine, unwavering love over impulsive promises. This moment highlights her practical wisdom, contrasting with the romantic idealism often attributed to her character. The quote underscores one of the play's central themes: the tension between the ephemeral nature of passion and the enduring nature of true love.

APOTHECARY
Put this in any liquid thing you will
And drink it off, and if you had the strength
Of twenty men, it would dispatch you straight.
ROMEO
There is thy gold, worse poison to men's souls,
Doing more murder in this loathsome world,
Than these poor compounds that thou mayest not sell.
I sell thee poison, thou hast sold me none.
Farewell, buy food, and get thyself in flesh.
. . .

This conversation between Romeo and the apothecary in "Romeo and Juliet" reveals a profound commentary on the nature of wealth and morality. The apothecary provides Romeo with a potent poison, capable of killing "if you had the strength of twenty men." Yet Romeo counters this by comparing gold to a "worse poison," highlighting how money corrupts and damages society more than any physical toxin could. This exchange underscores the theme of moral decay and the destructive power of greed. Romeo's statement that he sells the apothecary poison, while receiving none himself, illustrates the irony of their transaction. Romeo's farewell, urging the apothecary to "buy food, and get thyself in flesh," further emphasizes the desperation and degradation caused by poverty, while foreshadowing his tragic end as he leaves to join Juliet in death.

MERCUTIO
. . .
You gave us the counterfeit fairly last night.
ROMEO
Good morrow to you both. What counterfeit did I give you?
MERCUTIO
The slip sir, the slip, can you not conceive?
ROMEO
Pardon, good Mercutio, my business was great, and in such a case as mine a man may strain courtesy.
MERCUTIO
That's as much as to say, such a case as yours constrains a man to bow in the hams.
ROMEO
Meaning to curtsy.
MERCUTIO
Thou hast most kindly hit it.
ROMEO
A most courteous exposition.
MERCUTIO
Nay I am the very pink of courtesy.

In this lively exchange from Romeo and Juliet, Mercutio and Romeo engage in a witty battle of puns and innuendos. Mercutio accuses Romeo of "giving the counterfeit," meaning he vanished, or "slipped away," at the ball. The "slip" punning on a faux coin indicates Mercutio's playful mockery of Romeo's absence, suggesting that his friend's love affairs are insincere or "counterfeit." Romeo, returning the jest, excuses his absence by claiming his "business was great," hinting at the romantic encounter with Juliet that indeed "strained courtesy" by pulling him away. The banter continues as Mercutio jokes about bowing, leading to "courtesy" becoming "curtsy," a further play on words. Mercutio's declaration of being "the very pink of courtesy" adds a layer of irony, as he critiques and embodies courtly manners simultaneously. This scene underscores the camaraderie and cleverness of Mercutio and Romeo while highlighting Mercutio's disdain for pretentiousness, setting the stage for the tragic events to unfold.

JULIET
'Tis but thy name that is my enemy.
Thou art thyself, though not a Montague.
What's Montague? It is nor hand nor foot,
Nor arm nor face, nor any other part
Belonging to a man. O be some other name.
What's in a name? That which we call a rose
By any other word would smell as sweet;
So Romeo would, were he not Romeo called,
Retain that dear perfection which he owes
Without that title. Romeo doff thy name,
And for thy name which is no part of thee,
Take all myself.

This iconic soliloquy from Romeo and Juliet encapsulates Juliet's lament over the arbitrary nature of names. In her eyes, a name is a mere label, lacking intrinsic value or the ability to encapsulate the essence of a person. Her love for Romeo transcends the familial feud symbolized by his surname, Montague. By questioning the significance of a name, Juliet challenges societal norms that dictate their identities and relationships. Her analogy of a rose retains its fragrance regardless of its name, illustrating her belief that Romeo's true nature remains constant, irrespective of his family name. This plea for Romeo to discard his name in exchange for her love highlights not only the depth of her passion but also the tragic irony of their situation, as the feud's roots lie solely in labels and lineage, not the individuals themselves.

MERCUTIO
Nay if our wits run the wild-goose chase, I am done; for thou hast more of the wild goose in one of thy wits than I am sure I have in my whole five. . . .

In this playful exchange from Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, Mercutio uses the metaphor of a "wild-goose chase" to describe the witty repartee between him and Romeo. This phrase originally referred to a type of horse race where the lead horse set an unpredictable path, and others followed, mimicking a chaotic chase. Here, Mercutio humorously concedes defeat to Romeo, who has outwitted him in their verbal duel. By asserting that Romeo possesses more "wild goose" in one of his wits than Mercutio has in all five, he acknowledges Romeo's superior cleverness. This witty banter not only showcases Mercutio's sharp tongue but also deepens the camaraderie among the characters, providing a moment of levity amidst the tension of the unfolding drama. The playful language underscores the theme of youthful exuberance and the inevitable misunderstandings that arise from it, foreshadowing the tragic miscommunications to come.