Romeo and Juliet quotes

Question 1

Romeo

Answer 1

A virtuous and well-governed youth
I ne’er saw true beauty till this night (falls for girls quickly)
I stand on sudden haste (in hurry to get married)
O! I am Fortune’s fool! (fate is against him)
Now art thou sociable, now thou art Romeo (Mercutio)
O brawling love! O loving hate! (emotional turmoil)
I will defy you stars (defiant, determined on suicide)

Question 2

Light and dark imagery

Answer 2

O she doth teach the torches to burn bright! (R about J)
But soft, what light through yonder window breaks? It is the east and Juliet is the sun (R)
More light and light, more dark and dark our woes! (R after night with J)

Question 3

Fate and destiny

Answer 3

A pair of star-crossed lovers take their life (Prologue)
A consequence yet hanging in the stars (R before Capulets’ party)
O! I am Fortune’s fool (R)
A greater power than we can contradict has thwarted our intents (Friar Lawrence)

Question 4

Family and marriage

Answer 4

She will be ruled in all respects by me (Capulet re J’s marriage)
An you be mine I’ll give you to my friend (Capulet to J)
He that can lay hold of her shall have the chinks (Nurse, marriage as business)
Sweet my mother cast me not away (J)

Question 5

Hate and violence

Answer 5

I hate the word (peace) as I hate hell, all Montagues and thee (Tybalt)
O brawling love! O loving hate! (R, turmoil shown in oxymorons))
If ever you disturb our streets again your lives shall pay the forfeit of the peace (Prince)
To strike him dead I hold it not a sin (Tybalt)

Question 6

Love and lust

Answer 6

She’ll not be hit with Cupid’s arrow (R re Rosaline)
My lips two blushing pilgrims stand (R)
She hangs upon the cheek of night like a rich jewel in an Ethiop’s ear (R re J)
Women grow by men (Nurse)
young men’s love now lies not truly in their hearts but in their eyes (Friar Lawrence)

Question 7

Nurse

Answer 7

Now by my maidenhead at twelve year old (Nurse lost virginity at 12?)
O day! O day! O day! O hateful day! (grief, repetition)
I am a-weary, give me leave awhile (delaying tactics)
I am the drudge and toil in your delight (to J)

Question 8

Juliet

Answer 8

Palm to palm is holy palmers’ kiss (suggests purity, resisting R at first)
If he be married my grave is like to be my wedding bed (will remain virgin if can’t marry R)
Shall I speak ill of him who is my husband? (loyalty to R)
Sweet, sweet, sweet Nurse (affectionate)
My dismal scene I needs must act alone (resolute)

Question 9

Tybalt

Answer 9

Fiery Tybalt
Prince of cats (Mercutio)
Peace? I hate the word
To strike him dead I hold it not a sin (OK to kill Montagues)
Thou art a villain (trying to provoke R)
O courteous Tybalt, honest gentleman (Nurse is fond of Tybalt)

Question 10

Friar Lawrence

Answer 10

I’ll thy assistant be (to R)
These violent delights have violent ends (foreshadows tragedy, odd thing to say at wedding)
Wisely and slow, they stumble that run fast (advice to R)
Let my old life be sacrificed (accepts part of blame)
Turn your households’ rancour to pure love (hopes marriage will end feud)