Romeo & Juliet: Key Quotations (WJEC Eduqas GCSE English Literature)
Revision Note
Key Quotations
The best way to revise quotations is to group them by character, or theme. Below you will find definitions and analysis of the best quotations, arranged by the following themes:
Love
Conflict
Honour
Fate
Love
Romeo and Juliet is known for its theme of love. However, as the play’s ending suggests, it is a tragic tale of woe and conflict, a tale about a love that was forbidden because of a family grudge.
Paired quotations:
“Here’s much to do with hate, but more with love” Romeo Montague, Act I, Scene I
“O brawling love, o loving hate” Romeo Montague, Act I, Scene I
Meaning and context
In the first scene when Benvolio informs Romeo there has been a fight, Romeo tells Benvolio he believes the feud is fueled by hatred stemming from love
Shortly after discussing the feud , Romeo confides in Benvolio about his deep thoughts that love is painful and difficult
Analysis
Audiences are introduced to Romeo as a character who understands the connections between love and hate
This scene, focusing on Romeo’s heartbreak, juxtaposes the preceding fight scene, showing love and hate side by side
Romeo uses an oxymoron (“loving hate”) to show his contrasting feelings, beautifully describing his inner conflict and the strength of his feelings
The parallels drawn by Romeo at the start of the play foreshadow the violence of the love between Romeo and Juliet
“Did my heart love till now? forswear it, sight! For I ne’er saw true beauty till this night” Romeo Montague, Act I, Scene V
Meaning and context
When Romeo sees Juliet at the masked Capulet ball he believes her to be the most beautiful girl he has seen
He suggests any previous love, such as his love for Rosaline which the audience has just seen him troubled over, was not true love
Analysis
Here, Shakespeare shows Romeo as a character obsessed with courtly love
Audiences have just seen Romeo profess a broken heart over Rosaline’s unrequited love and will judge him for his change of heart
Shakespeare presents Romeo’s fatal flaw, his fickle impulsiveness
Friar Laurence and Juliet both criticise Romeo for his inconstant and rash actions which lead to his (and Juliet’s) downfall
Shakespeare suggests that courtly love was superficial and fleeting
Shakespeare comments here, and in much of his writing, on pure love being constant love
“Under love’s heavy burden do I sink” Romeo Montague, Act I, Scene IV
Meaning and context
Romeo tells Mercutio he is unable to go to the Capulet Ball as he is heartbroken
As seen earlier in the scene, Romeo believes love to be a heavy burden to carry
Analysis
Romeo alludes to the dark moods the audience has seen he is prone to in Act I, Scene I
Romeo uses metaphor to show the pain associated with love: he likens his heartbreak to a pressure weighing him down
Shakespeare shows Romeo as sensitive and prone to depression, subverting gender stereotypes and commenting on pressures for young men
“If love be rough with you, be rough with love; prick love for pricking, and you beat love down” Mercutio, Act I, Scene V
Meaning and context
Here, Mercutio is trying to lighten Romeo’s mood before the Capulet ball
He advises Romeo to beat love’s pain by being casual with it, by fighting back
Analysis
Here, Mercutio advises Romeo to be less sensitive about love, using the metaphor of a thorny rose
Shakespeare uses Mercutio’s dialogue to provide comedic and light relief from the intensity of other scenes
Shakespeare often uses puns in Mercutio's bawdy, humorous dialogue to play on the double meanings of words
Here, Mercutio uses the double meaning of the word ‘prick’ to connote thorns and sex, suggesting Romeo uses sex to overcome painful love
Later, Mercutio delivers a soliloquy about Queen Mab; the speech suggests daydreams and fantasies about love are a waste of time
Mercutio advises Romeo repeatedly to avoid dreams of idealised love
Audiences see characters’ contrasting attitudes to love in this conversation between the love-sick Romeo and the flippant Mercutio
“O, swear not by the moon, th’ inconstant moon” Juliet Capulet, Act II, Scene II
Meaning and context
Juliet replies to Romeo’s sudden declarations of love in the Capulet garden, asking Romeo to be constant and committed to his love
Juliet is connecting Romeo’s sudden promises to the changing moon
Analysis
Shakespeare uses celestial imagery here and throughout the play when the Juliet refers to Romeo
Her request that Romeo swears his love by something more constant suggests the changing nature of the stars and planets
Juliet is presented as rational and sensible, not leaving her fate to the stars and planets
This imagery challenges Elizabethan audiences who regularly made decisions based on the stars and planets
Conflict
The conflict within the play originates from an ancient grudge which neither family can remember. Shakespeare presents the discrimination the families show toward each other, hating without reason, as violent and tragic, punishing the town at the end of the play. It could be argued that Shakespeare mirrors this in the play, Romeo and Juliet. Written for Queen Elizabeth I, a Protestant, Shakespeare, a Catholic, veils messages about conflict in a dramatic love story.
“Whose misadventured piteous overthrows do with their death bury their parent's strife” The chorus, The Prologue
Meaning and context
The chorus delivers this line in the Prologue before the play begins
The chorus tells audiences that Romeo and Juliet will rebel attempting to overthrow the authority and that their deaths will end their parents’ “strife” or war
Analysis
The chorus is a device used in Greek tragedy, often to narrate key ideas to audiences
A Prologue provides the audience with information about the play’s themes, here the themes are rebellion, death and war
Here, the chorus tells the audience the outcome of events to build dramatic irony and create tension
Dramatic irony allows audiences to watch events unfold with the ending in mind
This line, taken from the Prologue, warns audiences that the young lovers will defy the status quo
The adjective describing this rebellion (“misadventured piteous”) suggests it will fail and the audience will feel pity for the young lovers
It also lets the audience know, immediately, that their sacrifice will bury their parent’s feud. The use of the word “bury” also foreshadows the deaths of Romeo and Juliet
Shakespeare’s Prologue challenges audiences to consider the violence that comes from civil war and the sacrifices children may have to make for it
“My only love sprung from my only hate” Juliet Capulet, Act I, Scene V
Meaning and context
Juliet speaks this line at the Capulet ball when she is told by her nurse that Romeo is a Montague and therefore her enemy
She realises that she is bound by her family to hate the only person she loves
Analysis
Juliet’s oxymoron, reflected in other lines that liken her marriage to a grave, suggests an awareness of the danger of loving her enemy
Juliet’s dialogue presents the close relationship between love and hate, foreshadowing the impact the feud will have on their future
Audiences, aware of the tragedy to come, are challenged to watch how conflict affects love
The verb “sprung” suggests her love originates from hate springing from family conflict
The repetition of “only” emphasises the huge significance the feud has in her life
In the midst of religious civil war in Elizabethan England, this line reflects the impact of division on innocent citizens, in particular, young people
Paired quotations:
“I do but keep the peace” Benvolio Montague, Act I, Scene I
“For now, these hot days is the mad blood stirring” Benvolio Montague, Act III, Scene I
Meaning and context
In Act I, Scene I, when a fight erupts between the Capulets and Montagues, Benvolio tells Tybalt he wants to keep the peace instead of fighting
Benvolio again tries to keep the peace in Act III, Scene I when he and Mercutio meet in a public place, warning Mercutio that if the Capulets see them there will be a fight
Analysis
Audiences are introduced to Benvolio as a kind character who promotes peace
This line has religious connotations, as Benvolio’s dialogue mimics Jesus Christ’s
His dialogue is used to contrast Mercutio and Tybalt’s fiery nature
Benvolio uses metaphor to equate the temper of the Capulets to the hot day
In a dramatic and climactic scene in the middle of the play, Benvolio’s dialogue acts as foreshadowing, preceding a fight
“These violent delights have violent ends” Friar Laurence, Act II, Scene VI
Meaning and context
As the friar marries Romeo and Juliet he warns them that passion can be violent
The secret and forbidden marriage is described here as having a tragic ending
Analysis
The friar uses oxymorons here, and throughout the play, to show the relationship between opposites
This line alludes to the opposing forces in all things: “violent” opposes the idea of “delight”
The repetition of “violence” emphasises the tragic consequences of the feud
The dark imagery foreshadows the marriage’s tragic outcome
Shakespeare uses the friar’s character to present opposing forces in nature, a theme prevalent in the play
Honour
Romeo and Juliet’s love is forbidden due to the “ancient grudge”, or feud, between the houses of Capulet and Montague. The lovers are bound to their family name and the hatred as a result of it. The play explores, as many of Shakespeare’s plays do, the challenges young people face when disagreeing with their families and the cultural values of the time.
“From ancient grudge break to new mutiny, Where civil blood makes civil hands unclean” The chorus, The Prologue
Meaning and context
The chorus tells the audience in the Prologue, before the play begins, that there will be conflict in the town
The chorus also reveals that something the town is holding on to from the past will lead to the spilling of blood
Analysis
The Prologue is a sonnet which introduces the play’s theme of honour, subverting the tradition of sonnets as Italian poems about courtly love
By using the form of a sonnet, traditionally a love poem, to introduce the feuding families Shakespeare shows a close connection between conflict, honour and love
The “ancient grudge” remains unknown throughout the play, suggesting the families do not know the real reason for their feud
This challenges Elizabethan perspectives on family honour, related to the religious battles at the time and the patriarchal hierarchy
Here, the contrast of “ancient” and “new” represents old and young, meaning the young will attempt a mutiny on the old
The metaphor “civil blood” refers to the violence between the town’s civilians
The ambiguous meaning of “unclean” suggests to audiences that the violence is impure
Shakespeare often uses the metaphor of blood on hands to symbolise guilt
Paired quotations:
“What’s in a name?” Juliet Capulet, Act II, Scene II
“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” Juliet Capulet, Act II, Scene II
Meaning and context
In Act II, Scene II, Juliet is alone on the balcony after the Capulet ball
Later in the scene, Romeo appears from hiding and declares his love
Juliet asks Romeo to turn his back on his family, and if he does not she will do it instead
Analysis
Juliet’s soliloquy is spoken alone, making this scene dramatic and highlighting its serious themes
A soliloquy is used in drama to represent the character revealing their true feelings, adding authenticity to Juliet’s controversial dialogue
Juliet’s rhetorical question in this soliloquy asks Elizabethan audiences to challenge values about family honour
In the soliloquy, Juliet uses metaphorical language to consider the irrelevance of names in love
Her use of imperative verbs (“deny” and “refuse”) suggests the strength of her feelings
As Elizabethans held their family name in high esteem, here, Juliet is attempting to overthrow the status quo
Shakespeare often presents characters in ways that subvert the stereotype
Juliet, a young girl, delivers the most significant message in the play about hatred and discrimination
Shakespeare shows the young couple finding it necessary to turn their backs on their families to be together, suggesting the impact of forced marriage and family feud
Paired quotations:
“What, drawn and talk of peace? I hate the word, as I hate hell, all Montagues, and thee” Tybalt Capulet, Act I, Scene I
“By the stock and honour of my kin, to strike him dead I hold it not a sin” Tybalt Capulet, Act I, Scene V
Meaning and context
In the opening scene, Tybalt asks Benvolio why he would talk about peace instead of fighting for his family name
Later, in Act I, Scene V, Tybalt is offended by Romeo’s attendance at the Capulet ball
He asks his servant for a sword, claiming that murder is not a sin if you do it for family honour
Analysis
The opening scene shows the constant threat of fighting between the two families
Tybalt’s character is introduced as fiercely passionate about avenging his family's honour
Tybalt’s dialogue is dramatic, using rhetorical question to show his shock and offence at the suggestion of peace
Shakespeare's use of a list of three emphasises his hatred, links religion to violence and stresses that these ideas are opposed to peace
In Act I, Scene V, Tybalt foreshadows further conflict by showing his bitterness towards Romeo, his enemy
His rhyming couplet (“kin”/”sin”) stresses the connection between sin and family honour
The verb “strike” suggests the violence inherent in Tybalt
His dialogue is dramatic and intense, to represent the intensity of the hatred in the feud
Tybalt’s dialogue is presented as bitter and angry, representing the strong feelings associated with honour
“A plague on both your houses!” Mercutio, Act III, Scene I
Meaning and context
In this climactic scene, Mercutio curses the Capulet and Montague families as he dies
Despite being Romeo’s friend, Mercutio is not involved in the feud until this scene
Analysis
Shakespeare’s climactic scene of a public fight between Romeo and Tybalt creates a plot twist for audiences
Mercutio, neither a Montague nor a Capulet, is killed in the feud, alluding to the deaths of innocent bystanders in the name of family honour
The plague Mercutio delivers could be a biblical reference, suggesting a holy punishment for the meaningless violence
It could likely refer to the disruptions of Elizabethan life by contagious diseases, mentioned later in the play
Mercutio’s curse comes true at the end of the play when a plague prevents the friar’s important message from getting to Romeo
Mercutio’s curse comes from frustration at being killed by mistake, caught between Romeo and Tybalt
Mercutio’s earlier flippant dialogue changes quickly to an ominous curse, suggestive of his name “Mercury” - both a mythical winged messenger and a quick-changing metal
Fate
From the very beginning and throughout the play, Romeo and Juliet’s relationship is thwarted by pressures linked to cultural values and traditions, something that could be described as an “outside force”. However, Shakespeare presents these forces as fateful, showing Romeo and Juliet giving in to fate until it is too late, in a bid to challenge contemporary belief systems.
“The fearful passage of their death-mark’d love” The chorus, The Prologue
Meaning and context
In the Prologue, the chorus invites audiences to watch the “fearful passage” of the unfolding tragic love story
The chorus refers to the “death-mark’d love” of Romeo and Juliet, suggesting the fate of the “star-cross’d lovers” is already marked, predetermined by the stars
Analysis
Shakespeare employs dramatic irony by telling audiences the protagonist’ fate
The adjectives "fearful” and “death-mark’d” connect the idea of destiny and fear
By telling Elizabethan audiences that the tragedy is already predetermined, Shakespeare links fate to tragedy, challenging prevalent superstitious beliefs about fate
Paired quotations
“He who hath steerage of course, Direct my sail” Romeo Montague, Act I, Scene IV
“O I am Fortune’s Fool!” Romeo Montague, Act III, Scene I
“Then I defy you, Stars!” Romeo Montague, Act V, Scene I
Meaning and context
In Act I, Romeo’s fateful journey begins with a premonition of the consequences of his night at the Capulet Ball. Here, he addresses fate, asking whoever it is who decides his future to lead the way
By Act III, Romeo has killed Tybalt and lost his friend, Mercutio, and acknowledges he has become a fool to fate/fortune
By Act V, Romeo learns (mistakenly) that Juliet is dead and he turns against fate
Analysis
At first, Shakespeare shows Romeo giving in to fate, a dominant ideology of the time
Romeo’s direct address speaks directly to Fate, personifying it as if it is a person who decides his future
Audiences have been shown Romeo as an impulsive and fickle boy as he begins his fateful journey, and here again as he ignores a premonition and leaves his future in the hands of fate
The imperative verbs, “Direct”, suggests reckless confidence in his tone
The metaphor of being on a boat and allowing nature to direct his way symbolises a fatalistic attitude which audiences know will be punished
In Act III, Romeo addresses Fate once again, after the deaths of Mercutio and Tybalt
This time, he shouts his frustration at Fate’s decision to make him “Fortune’s fool”, again implying he has little autonomy over his life
The Elizabethans believed that the stars, planets and gods were powerful over human lives, and this line begins to question the influence of fate in the violence
By Act V, Romeo turns his back on the decisions the stars and fate have made for him
In grief, Romeo angrily addresses the stars and exclaims his defiance
This line emphasises the desperation Romeo feels about his circumstances, and his decision to create some autonomy by returning to die with Juliet
“Methinks I see thee now, thou art so low As one dead in the bottom of a tomb” Juliet Capulet, Act III, Scene V
Meaning and context
In this scene, Juliet has a premonition about Romeo’s future
She sees him dead, sunk low down at the bottom of a tomb
Analysis
Here, Juliet foreshadows the death of Romeo, suggesting his fate is sealed
The explicit message is a stark message about Romeo’s dark future
Juliet’s dialogue often refers to death. Earlier in Act II, she likens her marriage to a grave
Juliet’s premonitions build tension through the dramatic irony created in the Prologue
Shakespeare challenges the audience's perceptions about fate and free will by showing both Romeo and Juliet instinctively knowing their doomed future
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