Romeo and Juliet Quotes - Top 6 Explained!

 

The classic love story of Romeo and Juliet has captivated generations since it was first performed back in 1594.

 

When studying the game there are a number of key quotes throughout that will resonate with all students and serve as a good memory aid, allowing you to think through the important events of the play, the sequence of events, the actions of the main characters and put the entire story in context from start to finish.

 

Here are 6 important quotes to remember from Romeo and Juliet: 

 

1.        O Romeo, Romeo! wherefore art thou Romeo?” (Act 2. Scene 2.33)

 

In this quote, Juliet is questioning why Romeo is a Montague.  She doesn’t realize that he is actually below her in the orchard but she is despairing that their families are unlikely to approve their marriage because of their different backgrounds.  The tension around family and social identity is a recurring theme in this play and central to the feud between the Montagues and Capulets.

 

2.         "Good Night, Good night! Parting is such sweet sorrow, that I shall say good night till it be morrow." (Act 2. Scene 2.185)

 

Here, Juliet is saying goodbye and expressing her sadness at being away from Romeo but she describes it as ‘sweet sorrow’ as when they next meet, it will be for their wedding.  It is important to remember that many scenes in this play are set either late at night or very early in the morning.

 

      3.  "But, soft, what light through yonder window breaks? It is the east, and Juliet is the sun!" (Act 2. Scene 2.3)

 

Romeo’s love for Juliet shines through in this beautiful quote.  He compares her to a sunrise and she is totally unaware that Romeo is even nearby let alone below her window.  This balcony scene from Romeo and Juliet is one of the most important scenes from any Shakespeare play and a beautiful and famous sequence to remember.

 

 

 

      4. "What's in a name? That which we call a rose, By any other wordwould smell as sweet." (Act 2. Scene 2.43-44)

 

This is one of the most important quotes of the play, when Juliet reflects on the fact that people are not merely defined by their names.  She believes in people being judged on who they are rather than their names and this showcases her independent spirit and her ideals.

 

      5.  “O! I am Fortune’s fool!” (Act 3.  Scene 1.136)

 

Fate and destiny are in the thoughts of Romeo when he makes this statement calling himself Fortune’s fool.  Following the deaths of Mercutio and Tybalt, Benvolio speaks to Romeo and tells him that it is likely that Prince Paris will doom him to death if he is caught.  Romeo feels that it is particularly cruel that he might die so soon after getting married.  This quote is one of the big references to the tragic fate of these star-crossed lovers and their sad destiny.

 

  6.  “For never was a story of more woe than this of Juliet and her Romeo (Act 5. Scene 3. 317-318)

 

This quote comes at the end of the play and is a reflection by Prince Escalus on Romeo and Juliet.  He describes the sadness of their doomed romance.

 

Remembering these top 6 quotes and their explanations is a good way of reminding yourself of the plot of the play, the motives of the characters and the main themes, which are as universal and current today as they were in the time of Shakespeare.