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Find 30 top quotes from Romeo and Juliet, the tragic love story by Shakespeare. See the original text, the modern translation, and the character and act information for each quote.
- Quotes From Romeo and Juliet Translated Into Modern English
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- The Clock Struck Nine When I Did Send The Nurse
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- Romeo and Juliet Monologues
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- Romeo & Juliet Soliloquies in Modern English
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- Quotes From Romeo and Juliet Translated Into Modern English
- “These violent delights have violent ends. And in their triumph die, like fire and powder, Which as they kiss consume. The sweetest honey. Is loathsome in his own deliciousness.
- “My bounty is as boundless as the sea, My love as deep; the more I give to thee, The more I have, for both are infinite.” ― William Shakespeare, Romeo and Juliet.
- “Don't waste your love on somebody, who doesn't value it.” ― William Shakespeare, Romeo and Juliet.
- “thus with a kiss I die” ― William Shakespeare, Romeo and Juliet.
Learn the meaning and context of the most memorable lines from Shakespeare's tragic romance. Find out how Romeo, Juliet, Mercutio, and others express their love, hate, and fate in poetry and prose.
- 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...
Explore the most memorable lines from Shakespeare's tragic love story, such as "What's in a name?" and "O Romeo, Romeo, wherefore art thou Romeo?". Find the full text, context and analysis of each quote on this web page.
Explore the most famous and memorable lines from Juliet, the tragic heroine of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet. Learn about her love, hate, identity, and fate through her words and context.
Explanations of quotes in Shakespeare's ROMEO AND JULIET. Notable Quotes from Romeo and Juliet [Click on any quote to see it in the complete annotated text of Romeo and Juliet .]
