Romeo and Juliet
Text Circles Dramatis Personae Synopsis All Definitions

Share
All
text
First folio
Modern text
Definitions
Key line
Enter Frier and Romeo.Enter Friar Laurence RJ III.iii.1.1
Fri. FRIAR 
Romeo come forth, / Come forth thou fearfull man,Romeo, come forth. Come forth, thou fearful man.fearful (adj.)
timid, timorous, frightened, full of fear		RJ III.iii.1
Affliction is enamor'd of thy parts:Affliction is enamoured of thy parts,part (n.)
quality, attribute, gift, accomplishment [of mind or body]		RJ III.iii.2
And thou art wedded to calamitie.And thou art wedded to calamity. RJ III.iii.3
Enter Romeo RJ III.iii.4.1
Rom. ROMEO 
Father what newes? / What is the Princes Doome?Father, what news? What is the Prince's doom?doom (n.)
judgement, sentence, decision		RJ III.iii.4
What sorrow craues acquaintance at my hand,What sorrow craves acquaintance at my handcrave (v.)

old form: craues
need, demand, require		RJ III.iii.5
That I yet know not?That I yet know not? RJ III.iii.6.1
Fri. FRIAR 
Too familiarToo familiar RJ III.iii.6.2
Is my deare Sonne with such sowre Company:Is my dear son with such sour company. RJ III.iii.7
I bring thee tydings of the Princes Doome.I bring thee tidings of the Prince's doom. RJ III.iii.8
Rom. ROMEO 
What lesse then Doomesday, / Is the Princes Doome?What less than doomsday is the Prince's doom? RJ III.iii.9
Fri. FRIAR 
A gentler iudgement vanisht from his lips,A gentler judgement vanished from his lips:gentle (adj.)
courteous, friendly, kind		RJ III.iii.10
Not bodies death, but bodies banishment.Not body's death, but body's banishment. RJ III.iii.11
Rom. ROMEO 
Ha, banishment? be mercifull, say death:Ha, banishment? Be merciful, say ‘ death.’ RJ III.iii.12
For exile hath more terror in his looke,For exile hath more terror in his look, RJ III.iii.13
Much more then death: do not say banishment.Much more than death. Do not say ‘ banishment.’ RJ III.iii.14
Fri. FRIAR 
Here from Verona art thou banished:Hence from Verona art thou banished. RJ III.iii.15
Be patient, for the world is broad and wide.Be patient, for the world is broad and wide. RJ III.iii.16
Rom. ROMEO 
There is no world without Verona walles,There is no world without Verona walls,without (prep.)
outside		RJ III.iii.17
But Purgatorie, Torture, hell it selfe:But purgatory, torture, hell itself. RJ III.iii.18
Hence banished, is banisht from the world,Hence banished is banished from the world, RJ III.iii.19
And worlds exile is death. Then banished,And world's exile is death. Then ‘ banished ’ RJ III.iii.20
Is death, mistearm'd, calling death banished,Is death mistermed. Calling death ‘ banished,’ RJ III.iii.21
Thou cut'st my head off with a golden Axe,Thou cuttest my head off with a golden axe RJ III.iii.22
And smilest vpon the stroke that murders me.And smilest upon the stroke that murders me. RJ III.iii.23
Fri. FRIAR 
O deadly sin, O rude vnthankefulnesse!O deadly sin! O rude unthankfulness! RJ III.iii.24
Thy falt our Law calles death, but the kind PrinceThy fault our law calls death. But the kind Prince, RJ III.iii.25
Taking thy part, hath rusht aside the Law,Taking thy part, hath rushed aside the law, RJ III.iii.26
And turn'd that blacke word death, to banishment.And turned that black word ‘ death ’ to banishment. RJ III.iii.27
This is deare mercy, and thou seest it not.This is dear mercy, and thou seest it not. RJ III.iii.28
Rom. ROMEO 
'Tis Torture and not mercy, heauen is here'Tis torture, and not mercy. Heaven is here, RJ III.iii.29
Where Iuliet liues, and euery Cat and Dog,Where Juliet lives. And every cat and dog RJ III.iii.30
And little Mouse, euery vnworthy thingAnd little mouse, every unworthy thing, RJ III.iii.31
Liue here in Heauen and may looke on her,Live here in heaven and may look on her. RJ III.iii.32
But Romeo may not. More Validitie,But Romeo may not. More validity,validity (n.)

old form: Validitie
value, worth, estimation		RJ III.iii.33
More Honourable state, more Courtship liuesMore honourable state, more courtship livescourtship (n.)
court life, courtliness; also: wooing, courting		RJ III.iii.34
In carrion Flies, then Romeo: they may seazeIn carrion flies than Romeo. They may seizecarrion (adj.)
preying on rotting flesh		RJ III.iii.35
On the white wonder of deare Iuliets hand,On the white wonder of dear Juliet's hand RJ III.iii.36
And steale immortall blessing from her lips,And steal immortal blessing from her lips, RJ III.iii.37
Who euen in pure and vestall modestieWho, even in pure and vestal modesty,vestal (adj.)

old form: vestall
virgin		RJ III.iii.38
Still blush, as thinking their owne kisses sin.Still blush, as thinking their own kisses sin.still (adv.)
constantly, always, continually		RJ III.iii.39
This may Flies doe, when I from this must flie,This may flies do, when I from this must fly. RJ III.iii.40
And saist thou yet, that exile is not death?And sayest thou yet that exile is not death? RJ III.iii.41
But Romeo may not, hee is banished.But Romeo may not, he is banished. RJ III.iii.42

Flies may do this but I from this must fly. RJ III.iii.43

They are free men. But I am banished. RJ III.iii.44
Had'st thou no poyson mixt, no sharpe ground knife,Hadst thou no poison mixed, no sharp-ground knife, RJ III.iii.45
No sudden meane of death, though nere so meane,No sudden mean of death, though ne'er so mean,mean (adj.)

old form: meane
lowly, humble, poor		RJ III.iii.46
mean (n.)

old form: meane
means, way, method
But banished to kill me? Banished?But ‘ banished ’ to kill me – ‘ banished ’? RJ III.iii.47
O Frier, the damned vse that word in hell:O Friar, the damned use that word in hell. RJ III.iii.48
Howlings attends it, how hast thou the hartHowlings attends it! How hast thou the heart,attend (v.)
accompany, follow closely, go with		RJ III.iii.49
Being a Diuine, a Ghostly Confessor,Being a divine, a ghostly confessor,ghostly (adj.)
spiritual, holy		RJ III.iii.50
divine (n.)

old form: Diuine
clergyman, priest, parson
A Sin-Absoluer, and my Friend profest:A sin-absolver, and my friend professed, RJ III.iii.51
To mangle me with that word, banished?To mangle me with that word ‘ banished ’? RJ III.iii.52
Fri. FRIAR 
Then fond Mad man, heare me speake.Thou fond mad man, hear me a little speak.fond (adj.)
foolish, stupid, mad		RJ III.iii.53
Rom. ROMEO 
O thou wilt speake againe of banishment.O, thou wilt speak again of banishment. RJ III.iii.54
Fri. FRIAR 
Ile giue thee Armour to keepe off that word,I'll give thee armour to keep off that word –  RJ III.iii.55
Aduersities sweete milke, Philosophie,Adversity's sweet milk, philosophy, RJ III.iii.56
To comfort thee, though thou art banished.To comfort thee, though thou art banished. RJ III.iii.57
Rom. ROMEO 
Yet banished? hang vp Philosophie:Yet ‘ banished ’? Hang up philosophy! RJ III.iii.58
Vnlesse Philosohpie can make a Iuliet,Unless philosophy can make a Juliet, RJ III.iii.59
Displant a Towne, reuerse a Princes Doome,Displant a town, reverse a prince's doom,displant (v.)
transplant, remove, displace		RJ III.iii.60
It helpes not, it preuailes not, talke no more.It helps not, it prevails not. Talk no more. RJ III.iii.61
Fri. FRIAR 
O then I see, that Mad men haue no eares.O, then I see that madmen have no ears. RJ III.iii.62
Rom. ROMEO 
How should they, / When wisemen haue no eyes?How should they, when that wise men have no eyes? RJ III.iii.63
Fri. FRIAR 
Let me dispaire with thee of thy estate,Let me dispute with thee of thy estate.estate (n.)
state, situation, circumstances		RJ III.iii.64
dispute (v.)
discuss, consider, deal with [a state of affairs]
Rom. ROMEO 
Thou can'st not speake of that yu dost not feele,Thou canst not speak of that thou dost not feel. RJ III.iii.65
Wert thou as young as Iuliet my Loue:Wert thou as young as I, Juliet thy love, RJ III.iii.66
An houre but married, Tybalt murdered,An hour but married, Tybalt murdered, RJ III.iii.67
Doting like me, and like me banished,Doting like me, and like me banished, RJ III.iii.68
Then mightest thou speake, / Then mightest thou teare thy hayre,Then mightst thou speak; then mightst thou tear thy hair, RJ III.iii.69
And fall vpon the ground as I doe now,And fall upon the ground, as I do now, RJ III.iii.70
Taking the measure of an vnmade graue.Taking the measure of an unmade grave. RJ III.iii.71
Enter Nurse, and knockes.Knock RJ III.iii.72
Frier. FRIAR 
Arise one knockes, / Good Romeo hide thy selfe.Arise. One knocks. Good Romeo, hide thyself. RJ III.iii.72
Rom. ROMEO 
Not I, / Vnlesse the breath of Hartsicke groanesNot I; unless the breath of heartsick groans RJ III.iii.73
Mist-like infold me from the search of eyes.Mist-like infold me from the search of eyes.infold (v.)
enfold, wrap up, conceal		RJ III.iii.74
KnockeKnock RJ III.iii.75
Fri. FRIAR 
Harke how they knocke: / (Who's there) Romeo arise,Hark, how they knock! – Who's there? – Romeo, arise. RJ III.iii.75
Thou wilt be taken, stay a while, stand vp:Thou wilt be taken. – Stay awhile! – Stand up. RJ III.iii.76
Knocke.Knock RJ III.iii.77.1
Run to my study: by and by, Gods willRun to my study. – By and by! – God's will,by and by (adv.)
immediately, straightaway, directly		RJ III.iii.77
What simplenesse is this: I come, I come.What simpleness is this! – I come, I come!simpleness (n.)

old form: simplenesse
idiocy, stupidity, foolishness		RJ III.iii.78
Knocke.Knock RJ III.iii.79
Who knocks so hard? / Whence come you? what's your will?Who knocks so hard? Whence come you? What's your will? RJ III.iii.79
Nur. NURSE 
Let me come in, / And you shall know my errand:Let me come in, and you shall know my errand. RJ III.iii.80
I come from Lady Iuliet.I come from Lady Juliet. RJ III.iii.81.1
Fri. FRIAR 
Welcome then.Welcome then. RJ III.iii.81.2
Enter Nurse.Enter Nurse RJ III.iii.82
Nur. NURSE 
O holy Frier, O tell me holy Frier,O holy Friar, O, tell me, holy Friar, RJ III.iii.82
Where's my Ladies Lord? where's Romeo?Where's my lady's lord, where's Romeo? RJ III.iii.83
Fri. FRIAR 
There on the ground, / With his owne teares made drunke.There on the ground, with his own tears made drunk. RJ III.iii.84
Nur. NURSE 
O he is euen in my Mistresse case,O, he is even in my mistress' case,case (n.)
state, plight, situation, circumstance		RJ III.iii.85
Iust in her case. O wofull simpathy:Just in her case! O woeful sympathy!just (adv.)

old form: Iust
exactly, precisely		RJ III.iii.86
sympathy (n.)

old form: simpathy
accord, agreement, harmony
Pittious predicament, euen so lies she,Piteous predicament! Even so lies she, RJ III.iii.87
Blubbring and weeping, weeping and blubbring,Blubbering and weeping, weeping and blubbering. RJ III.iii.88
Stand vp, stand vp, stand and you be a man,Stand up, stand up! Stand, an you be a man.and, an (conj.)
if, whether		RJ III.iii.89
For Iuliets sake, for her sake rise and stand:For Juliet's sake, for her sake, rise and stand! RJ III.iii.90
Why should you fall into so deepe an O.Why should you fall into so deep an O?O (n.)
sorrowful exclamation		RJ III.iii.91
He rises RJ III.iii.92
Rom. ROMEO 
Nurse.Nurse –  RJ III.iii.92.1
Nur. NURSE 
Ah sir, ah sir, deaths the end of all.Ah sir! ah sir! Death's the end of all. RJ III.iii.92.2
Rom. ROMEO 
Speak'st thou of Iuliet? how is it with her?Spakest thou of Juliet? How is it with her? RJ III.iii.93
Doth not she thinke me an old Murtherer,Doth not she think me an old murderer,old (adj.)
experienced, practised, skilled		RJ III.iii.94
Now I haue stain'd the Childhood of our ioy,Now I have stained the childhood of our joy RJ III.iii.95
With blood remoued, but little from her owne?With blood removed but little from her own? RJ III.iii.96
Where is she? and how doth she? and what sayesWhere is she? and how doth she? and what says RJ III.iii.97
My conceal'd Lady to our conceal'd Loue?My concealed lady to our cancelled love?concealed (adj.)

old form: conceal'd
unrevealed, kept secret, unacknowledged		RJ III.iii.98
cancelled (adj.)
made null and void, invalidated
Nur. NURSE 
Oh she sayes nothing sir, but weeps and weeps,O, she says nothing, sir, but weeps and weeps, RJ III.iii.99
And now fals on her bed, and then starts vp,And now falls on her bed, and then starts up, RJ III.iii.100
And Tybalt calls, and then on Romeo cries,And Tybalt calls, and then on Romeo cries,on (prep.)
against		RJ III.iii.101
And then downe falls againe.And then down falls again. RJ III.iii.102.1
Ro. ROMEO 
As if that name As if that name, RJ III.iii.102.2
shot from the dead leuell of a Gun,Shot from the deadly level of a gun,level (n.)

old form: leuell
line of fire		RJ III.iii.103
Did murder her, as that names cursed handDid murder her; as that name's cursed hand RJ III.iii.104
Murdred her kinsman. Oh tell me Frier, tell me,Murdered her kinsman. O, tell me, Friar, tell me, RJ III.iii.105
In what vile part of this AnatomieIn what vile part of this anatomyanatomy (n.)

old form: Anatomie
body, cadaver, corpse		RJ III.iii.106
Doth my name lodge? Tell me, that I may sackeDoth my name lodge? Tell me, that I may sacksack (v.)

old form: sacke
plunder, pillage, despoil		RJ III.iii.107
The hatefull Mansion.The hateful mansion. RJ III.iii.108.1
He offers to stab himself, and the Nurse snatches theoffer (v.)
attempt, start, try, make a move		RJ III.iii.108.3
dagger away RJ III.iii.108.4
Fri. FRIAR 
Hold thy desperate hand:Hold thy desperate hand. RJ III.iii.108.2
Art thou a man? thy forme cries out thou art:Art thou a man? Thy form cries out thou art. RJ III.iii.109
Thy teares are womanish, thy wild acts denoteThy tears are womanish. Thy wild acts denote RJ III.iii.110
The vnreasonable Furie of a beast.The unreasonable fury of a beast.unreasonable (adj.)

old form: vnreasonable
lacking the faculty of reason, irrational		RJ III.iii.111
Vnseemely woman, in a seeming man,Unseemly woman in a seeming man!seeming (adj.)
apparent, convincing in appearance		RJ III.iii.112
And ill beseeming beast in seeming both,And ill-beseeming beast in seeming both!ill-beseeming (adj.)

old form: ill beseeming
unseemly, inappropriate, unbecoming		RJ III.iii.113
Thou hast amaz'd me. By my holy order,Thou hast amazed me. By my holy order, RJ III.iii.114
I thought thy disposition better temper'd.I thought thy disposition better tempered.temper (v.)

old form: temper'd
blend, mix, concoct, compound		RJ III.iii.115
disposition (n.)
natural temperament, normal state of mind
Hast thou slaine Tybalt? wilt thou slay thy selfe?Hast thou slain Tybalt? Wilt thou slay thyself? RJ III.iii.116
And slay thy Lady, that in thy life lies,And slay thy lady that in thy life lives, RJ III.iii.117
By doing damned hate vpon thy selfe?By doing damned hate upon thyself? RJ III.iii.118
Why rayl'st thou on thy birth? the heauen and earth?Why railest thou on thy birth, the heaven, and earth?rail (v.)

old form: rayl'st
rant, rave, be abusive [about]		RJ III.iii.119
Since birth, and heauen and earth, all three do meeteSince birth and heaven and earth, all three, do meet RJ III.iii.120
In thee at once, which thou at once would'st loose.In thee at once; which thou at once wouldst lose. RJ III.iii.121
Fie, fie, thou sham'st thy shape, thy loue, thy wit,Fie, fie, thou shamest thy shape, thy love, thy wit,wit (n.)
intelligence, wisdom, good sense, mental ability		RJ III.iii.122
Which like a Vsurer abound'st in all:Which, like a usurer, aboundest in all,usurer (n.)

old form: Vsurer
money-lender, one who charges excessive interest		RJ III.iii.123
And vsest none in that true vse indeed,And usest none in that true use indeedtrue (adj.)
honourable, virtuous, sincere		RJ III.iii.124
Which should bedecke thy shape, thy loue, thy wit:Which should bedeck thy shape, thy love, thy wit. RJ III.iii.125
Thy Noble shape, is but a forme of waxe,Thy noble shape is but a form of wax,form (n.)

old form: forme
image, likeness, shape		RJ III.iii.126
Digressing from the Valour of a man,Digressing from the valour of a man;digress (v.)
deviate, diverge, depart		RJ III.iii.127
Thy deare Loue sworne but hollow periurie,Thy dear love sworn but hollow perjury, RJ III.iii.128
Killing that Loue which thou hast vow'd to cherish.Killing that love which thou hast vowed to cherish; RJ III.iii.129
Thy wit, that Ornament, to shape and Loue,Thy wit, that ornament to shape and love, RJ III.iii.130
Mishapen in the conduct of them both:Misshapen in the conduct of them both,misshapen (adj.)

old form: Mishapen
gone awry, badly directed		RJ III.iii.131
conduct (n.)
guidance, direction
Like powder in a skillesse Souldiers flaske,Like powder in a skilless soldier's flaskpowder (n.)
gunpowder		RJ III.iii.132
flask (n.)

old form: flaske
powder-flask, case for carrying gunpowder
Is set a fire by thine owne ignorance,Is set afire by thine own ignorance,afire (adj.)

old form: a fire
on fire, burning		RJ III.iii.133
And thou dismembred with thine owne defence.And thou dismembered with thine own defence.defence (n.)
arms, armour, means of defence		RJ III.iii.134
dismember (v.)

old form: dismembred
blow to pieces, divide limb from limb
What, rowse thee man, thy Iuliet is aliue,What, rouse thee, man! Thy Juliet is alive, RJ III.iii.135
For whose deare sake thou wast but lately dead.For whose dear sake thou wast but lately dead. RJ III.iii.136
There art thou happy. Tybalt would kill thee,There art thou happy. Tybalt would kill thee,happy (adj.)
fortunate, lucky, favoured		RJ III.iii.137
But thou slew'st Tybalt, there art thou happie.But thou slewest Tybalt. There art thou happy. RJ III.iii.138
The law that threatned death became thy Friend,The law, that threatened death, becomes thy friend RJ III.iii.139
And turn'd it to exile, there art thou happy.And turns it to exile. There art thou happy. RJ III.iii.140
A packe or blessing light vpon thy backe,A pack of blessings light upon thy back. RJ III.iii.141
Happinesse Courts thee in her best array,Happiness courts thee in her best array. RJ III.iii.142
But like a mishaped and sullen wench,But, like a mishaved and sullen wench,mishaved (adj.)
badly behaved		RJ III.iii.143
wench (n.)
girl, lass
Thou puttest vp thy Fortune and thy Loue:Thou pouts upon thy fortune and thy love.fortune (n.)
lucky chance, good luck		RJ III.iii.144
Take heed, take heed, for such die miserable.Take heed, take heed, for such die miserable. RJ III.iii.145
Goe get thee to thy Loue as was decreed,Go, get thee to thy love, as was decreed.decree (v.)
arrange, decide, resolve		RJ III.iii.146
Ascend her Chamber, hence and comfort her:Ascend her chamber. Hence and comfort her. RJ III.iii.147
But looke thou stay not till the watch be set,But look thou stay not till the Watch be set,watch (n.)
watchmen, officers, street patrol		RJ III.iii.148
For then thou canst not passe to Mantua,For then thou canst not pass to Mantua, RJ III.iii.149
Where thou shalt liue till we can finde a timeWhere thou shalt live till we can find a time RJ III.iii.150
To blaze your marriage, reconcile your Friends,To blaze your marriage, reconcile your friends,blaze, blaze forth (v.)
proclaim, divulge, make known		RJ III.iii.151
Beg pardon of thy Prince, and call thee backe,Beg pardon of the Prince, and call thee back RJ III.iii.152
With twenty hundred thousand times more ioyWith twenty hundred thousand times more joy RJ III.iii.153
Then thou went'st forth in lamentation.Than thou wentest forth in lamentation. RJ III.iii.154
Goe before Nurse, commend me to thy Lady,Go before, Nurse. Commend me to thy lady,commend (v.)
convey greetings, present kind regards		RJ III.iii.155
And bid her hasten all the house to bed,And bid her hasten all the house to bed, RJ III.iii.156
Which heauy sorrow makes them apt vnto.Which heavy sorrow makes them apt unto.heavy (adj.)

old form: heauy
grave, serious, weighty		RJ III.iii.157
heavy (adj.)

old form: heauy
sorrowful, sad, gloomy
apt (adj.)
likely, inclined, prone
Romeo is comming.Romeo is coming. RJ III.iii.158
Nur. NURSE 
O Lord, I could haue staid here all night,O Lord, I could have stayed here all the night RJ III.iii.159
To heare good counsell: oh what learning is!To hear good counsel. O, what learning is! – RJ III.iii.160
My Lord Ile tell my Lady you will come.My lord, I'll tell my lady you will come. RJ III.iii.161
Rom. ROMEO 
Do so, and bid my Sweete prepare to chide.Do so, and bid my sweet prepare to chide.chide (v.), past form chid
scold, rebuke, reprove		RJ III.iii.162
The Nurse begins to go in and turns back again RJ III.iii.163
Nur. NURSE 
Heere sir, a Ring she bid me giue you sir:Here, sir, a ring she bid me give you, sir. RJ III.iii.163
Hie you, make hast, for it growes very late.Hie you, make haste, for it grows very late.hie (v.)
hasten, hurry, speed		RJ III.iii.164
Exit Nurse RJ III.iii.164
Rom. ROMEO 
How well my comfort is reuiu'd by this.How well my comfort is revived by this!comfort (n.)
happiness, joy, cheerfulness		RJ III.iii.165
Fri. FRIAR 
Go hence, / Goodnight, and here stands all your state:Go hence. Good night. And here stands all your state:stand (v.)
be, appear		RJ III.iii.166
state (n.)
condition, circumstances, situation, state of affairs
Either be gone before the watch be set,Either be gone before the Watch be set, RJ III.iii.167
Or by the breake of day disguis'd from hence,Or by the break of day disguised from hence. RJ III.iii.168
Soiourne in Mantua, Ile find out your man,Sojourn in Mantua. I'll find out your man,sojourn (v.)

old form: Soiourne
pause, reside, stay for a while		RJ III.iii.169
And he shall signifie from time to time,And he shall signify from time to timesignify (v.)

old form: signifie
report, make known, declare		RJ III.iii.170
Euery good hap to you, that chaunces heere:Every good hap to you that chances here.hap (n.)
happening, event, occurrence		RJ III.iii.171
Giue me thy hand, 'tis late, farewell, goodnight.Give me thy hand. 'Tis late. Farewell. Good night. RJ III.iii.172
Rom. ROMEO 
But that a ioy past ioy, calls out on me,But that a joy past joy calls out on me, RJ III.iii.173
It were a griefe, so briefe to part with thee:It were a grief so brief to part with thee.part (v.)
depart [from], leave, quit		RJ III.iii.174
brief (adv.)

old form: briefe
hurriedly, rapidly, in a rush
Farewell.Farewell. RJ III.iii.175
Exeunt.Exeunt RJ III.iii.175
 Previous Act III, Scene III Next  
x

Jump directly to