Full Text of Romeo and Juliet Flashcards
star-crossed:
doomed. The position
of the stars when the lovers were born
was not favorable. In Shakespeare’s day,
people took astrology very seriously.
misadventured:
unlucky.
but:
except for;
naught:
nothing.
ancient . . . unclean:
A new outbreak
of fighting (mutiny) between families has
caused the citizens of Verona to have one
another’s blood on their hands.
the two hours’ . . . stage:
what will be
shown on the stage in the next two hours.
what . . . mend:
The play will fill in the
details not mentioned in the prologue.
we’ll not carry coals:
we won’t stand
to be insulted. Colliers, those involved in
the dirty work of hauling coal, were often
the butt of jokes.
in choler:
angry;
collar:
a hangman’s
noose.
take the wall:
walk nearest to the wall.
People of higher rank had the privilege
of walking closer to the wall, to avoid any
water or garbage in the street.
poor-John:
poor-John: a salted fish, considered
fit only for poor people to eat.
marry:
marry: a short form of “by the Virgin
Mary” and so a mild exclamation.
heartless hinds:
cowardly servants.
drawn:
with your sword out.
Have at thee:
Defend yourself.
bills, and partisans:
bills, and partisans: spears.
A crutch . . . sword:
You need a
crutch more than a sword.
pernicious:
destructive.
Three . . . peace:
The prince holds
Capulet and Montague responsible for
three recent street fights, each probably
started by an offhand remark or insult
(airy word). He warns that they will be
put to death if any more fights occur.
exeunt:
the plural form of exit, indicating
that more than one person is leaving
the stage.
Who . . . abroach:
Who reopened this
old argument?
