9^th Honors English Citations from

Romeo and Juliet

By William Shakespeare

 

Identify the speaker, to whom, the purpose, and explain the meaning of the following citations.  (I. 4. 113 = Act 1, Scene 4, Line 113)

 

“A pair of star-crossed lovers take their life.”  (prologue)

Chorus saying this to the audience (Rare). This is the introduction of the whole play and summarizing what the play will be about. Saying that these two lovers were not meant to be, and they are doomed.

 

“What, drawn, and talk of peace? I hate the word as I hate hell all Montagues, and thee.”  (I. 1. 48-49)

 Tybalt to Benvolio. Meaning :Tybalt hates Benvolio because he wants to fight Benvolio and all Montigues

 

“A crutch, a crutch! Why do you call for a sword?”  (I. 1. 54)

 Capulet enters an area where people are fighting. He wants his sword. This is what Lady Capulet says to her husband. She feels that since her husband is old, a crutch is more fit for him than a sword

 

“If you ever disturb our streets again, Your lives shall pay the forfeit of the peace.”  (I. 1. 142-143)

This is when Prince Escalus finds the citizens fighting and so calls aloud to the Montagues and Capulet families that if they're found fighting again, they will die. The purpose of this was for escalus to keep the peace around town.

 

 

 This is Romeo talking to his friends because he is sad that Rosaline will never love him. The purpose is to show young love and it means that he would do almost anything to get her.

 

By giving liberty unto thine eyes; Examine other beauties.” 

(1. 188-189)

 

“O, she doth teach the torches to burn bright… Beauty too rich for use, for earth too dear!” (I. 5. 49-51)

 This is Romeo talking to himself and saying that Juliet is "the one." This matters because the whole play revolves around their love for each other

“Content thee gentle coz, let him alone… And to say truth, Verona Brags of him.”  (I. 5. 49)

 This is Capulet telling Tybalt to calm himself because it is a party and nobody wants a fight. This matters because later on, tybalt gets his revenge on Mercutio and then Romeo on Tybalt

 

“If I profane with my unworthiest hand this holy shrine…” (I. 5. 76)

 This is Romeo to Juliet telling her that she is a holy shrine while he is an unworthy pilgrim. This shows that Romeo really thinks she is beautiful and wants to give himself to her, as one puts their soul into a truthful prayer.

 

“O dear account! My life is my foe’s debt.” (I. 5. 101)

 

“My only love sprung from my only hate! Too early seen unknown and known too late!”  (I. 5. 121-122)

 Juliet talking to herself about Romeo that she didn't know he was a Montague but now she loves him. This matters because even as they are enemies they still love each other and shows the love they have.

 

If love be blind, love cannot hit the mark.”  (II. 1. 23)

 This is Mercutio responding to Benvolio's comment talking about how they think Romeo is still in love with Rosaline. This quote matters because it shows how Romeo got over Rosaline so quickly and onto Juliet, even though they didnt know this happened. Just as a blind person can wander anywhere without knowing where they are.

 

“But soft, what light through that yonder window breaks?”  (II. 2. 2)

 Romeo talking to himself seeing that Juliet's window was brightened by light, and he compares it to Juliet being the reason the window lit up- because she is the sun. This matters because it shows how Romeo thinks of her- as an angel and the center of his world.

 

“O Romeo, Romeo, wherefore art thou Romeo? Deny thy father and refuse thy name.”

 Juliet is telling (or asking) Why is Romeo a Montague and to become a capulet. This matters because this sentence shows the love they have for each other and will lead to their marriage

 

“What’s in a name? That which we call a rose By any other name would smell as sweet.” (II. 2. 40-41)

 Juliet telling that a rose would smell like a rose if it was called poopyflower for instance. This matters because they are talking about how they should be one and the families should come together to they can be together.

 

“I take thee at thy word, call  me but love, and I’ll be new baptized; henceforth I never will be Romeo.”  (II. 2. 47-49)

 This is the end of Romeo and Juliet's conversation where Romeo says to Juliet that he believes in her love for him and agrees to change his name for her and for her only. This matters because it shows that they will get married or at least be together because this is a big sacrifice from Romeo.

 

“Alas, poor Romeo! He is already dead,… shot through the ear with a love song.. And is he man to encounter Tybalt?” (II. 4. 12-16)

 This is Mercutio telling Benvolio how Romeo is doomed when he meets with Tybalt for a sword challenge. This matters because Tybalt and Romeo do end up fighting but Tybalt is the one slain and not Romeo.

“Then hie you hence to Friar Laurence’ cell.” (II. 5. 67)

 Nurse to Juliet telling her that Romeo is waiting for her to get married. This matters because this marriage complicates things greatly later on and is the cause of the catastrophe at the end

 

“For, by your leaves, you shall not stay alone till holy church incorporate two in on.” (II. 6. 36-37)

 Friar Laurence talking to both Romeo and Juliet. This matters because they are about to get married which leads to a series of difficult event for them both.

 

“But I love thee more than thou canst devise.”  (III. 1. 57)

This is Romeo telling Tybalt that he loves him but Tybalt doesn't know the reason (romeo is now a Capulet as well so they are family). This matters because this is how Mercutio got stabbed- by Romeo trying to stop them. 

 

“O calm, dishonorable, vile submission.”  (III. 1. 61)

 Mercutio to Tybalt threatening him with a sword. This matters because this is when Mercutio dies and Romeo kills Tybalt which leads to ROmeo killing himself and Juliet too

 

“I am hurt. A plague on both your houses! I am sped.”  (III. 1. 77)

 Mercutio is tellign Romeo that he is going to die and plagues the Capulets and Montagues for their fighting. This matters because this gets Romeo fired up and Kills Tybalt

 

“No, tis not so deep as a well, nor so wide as a church door; but ‘tis enough, ‘twill serve…”  (III. 1. 82-83)

 Mercutio is continuing to tell Romeo that his wound is neither big nor deep but it is enough to finish him. This also makes Romeo and allows him to defeat Tybalt.

 

“C, I am fortune’s fool!”  (III. 1. 121”

 This is Romeo telling Benvolio that he only does what fortune commands him to do and shows he believes in destiny. This matters because it means that Romeo and Juleit were meant to be. In the starting sonnet, it says a pair of star crossed lovers (destined by the stars) meet a tragic end. This shows that they will die in the end.

 

“What storm is this that blows so contrary? Is Romeo slaughtered and Tybalt dead?”  (III. 2. 47-48)

 

“Hence form Verona thou art banished. Be patient, for the world is and thy love.”  (III. 3. 117-118)

 This is the Prince telling Romeo's decree of law to Benvolio because he had slain Tybalt. This matters because it will determine the actions Romeo will take with Juliet in the future, Stay and Die or Live and Run.

 

“Oh fortune, fortune! All men call thee fickle…”  (III. 5. 50)

 Juliet talking to herself telling herself how men think love is destiny. This matters because she's going with what men feel and so wants to do whatever Romeo does to be with him (I suppose)

“…go with Paris to Saint Peter’s Church, Or I will drag thee on a hurdle thither. Out, you green-sickness carrion! Out you baggage…” (III. 5. 141-144)

 This is Capulet yelling at Juliet because she says she does not want to marry Paris the coming Thursday. This matters because this is what causes Juliet to go to Friar Laurence to look for a cure and which makes this story's catastrophe show up.

 

“And in this borrowed likeness of shrunk death Thou shalt continue for two and forty hours…”  (IV. 1. 104-105)

 Friar Laurence to Juliet explaining to her how long the magic potion will last. This matters because only about five minutes after Romeo kills himself she wakes up. So this is actually quite ironic. Romeo will die in one fifty-five and forty hours.

 

“Romeo, I come! This do I drink to thee.”  (IV. 3. 58)

 Juliet talking to Romeo not there while she is about to drink the magic potion of Friar Laurence. This matters because everybody thinks she's dead including Romeo so he kills himself.

 

“All the things which we ordained festival, Turn from their office to black funeral.”  (IV. 5. 58-59)

 

“I could not send it- here it is again- nor get a messenger to bring it thee, so fearful were they of infection.”  (V. 2. 14-16)

 Friar John to Frair Laurence telling him that he could not deliver the letter. This is very important because if Romeo does not get the letter, then he will think that Juliet is actually dead and not faking it and so he ends up killing himself next to her.

 

“Condemned villain, I do apprehend thee; Obey and go with me for thou must die.”  (V. 3. 56-57)

 Paris to Romeo because Paris thinks Romeo is going to do things to Juliet as shes dead. This matters because when Romeo kills Paris, he finds out that it actually was Paris and that he is in a lot of trouble.

 

“Ah dear Juliet, Why art thou yet so fair? Shall I believe that unsubstantial death is amorous?”  (V. 3. 56-57)

 Romeo talking to "dead" Juliet to tell her how beautiful she is, even in death. This matters because she is only beautiful because the potion's effect is wearing away and Romeo thinks she is dead. So as a result, he will kill himself before she wakes, and when she sees him dead, she will kill herself too.

 

“Oh true apothecary! Thy drugs are quick. Thus with a kiss I die.” 

(V. 3. 120)

 

“Oh happy dagger, this is thy sheath; there rust, and let me die.”

(V. 3. 169-170)

 This is Juliet talking to herself while she stabs herself. This matters because it is the most famous scene for this play and completes the introductory sonnet line "A pair of star crossed lovers take their lives"

“O brother Montague, give me thy hand.”  (V. 3. 296)

 Capulet talking to Montague mourning the death of Romeo and Juliet. This matters because it shows Capulet's love for his daughter and shows he is a good father.