"It is an honor that I dream not of." (1.3.70)
Speaker: Juliet
Context: Juliet is responding to her mother's question of 'will you marry?'
Meaning:
... [Show More] Marriage is not something Juliet has thought of.
"Well, in that you miss: she'll not be hit with Cupid's arrow" (1.1.194)
Speaker: Romeo
Context: Romeo is explaining to his cousin, Benvolio, that he is in love
Meaning: Romeo's love wishes to stay a virgin.
"O she is rich in beauty, only poor, that when she dies with beauty dies her story" (1.1.201).
Speaker: Romeo
Context: Explaining to his cousin that he is in love
Meaning: When she dies, she will cut off all beauty from future generations.
"Read o'er the volume of young Paris' face, and find delight writ there with beauty's pen" (1.3.85).
Speaker: Lady Capulet
Context: Lady Capulet is trying to explain why Juliet should marry Paris
Meaning: Paris is like a book and Juliet will be the cover that holds it together.
"This precious book of love, the unbound lover, to beautify him only lacks a cover" (1.3.91)
Speaker: Lady Capulet
Context: She is trying to explain why Juliet should marry Paris
Meaning: Juliet is a beautiful thing for Juliet to have.
"From ancient grudge to new mutiny, where civil blood makes civil hands unclean" (prologue)
Speaker: Narrator
Context: Explaining the events of what came before Romeo and Juliet's death
Meaning: The two households, the Montague's and the Capulet's, are in feud that makes them fight and shed civilian blood.
"From forth the fatal loins of these two foes a pair of star- crossed lovers take there life" (prologue)
Speaker: Narrator
Context: Explaining what caused Romeo and Juliet's deaths
Meaning: Because of all the fighting, a Montague (Romeo) and a Capulet (Juliet) who are lovers, kill themselves.
"Here's much to do with hate, but more with love. Why, then, O brawling love! O loving hate! O anything of nothing first create!" (1.1.176)
Speaker: Romeo
Context: Romeo is explaining Rosaline to his older brother, Benvolio
Meaning: Romeo is heartbroken that Rosaline doesn't love him and he doesn't know what to do.
"I'll look to like if looking liking more: But no more will I endart mine eye than your consent gives strength to make it fly (1.3.101)
Speaker: Juliet
Context: Juliet is trying to explain to her mother in the simplest way possible that she doesn't want to be involved in the relationship
Meaning: She wants to be an obedient daughter to her mother, but in a way that she never mentions love.
"My lips, two blushing pilgrims, ready stand to smooth that rough touch with a tender kiss" (1.5.94)
Speaker: Romeo
Context: Romeo is explaining to Juliet of how beautiful she is
Meaning: Romeo is about to commit the gentle sin of replacing the rough touch of his kiss by kissing her. [Show Less]