Retain that dear perfection which he owes (8) So Romeo would, were he not Romeo called, What’s in a name? That which we call a rose What’s Montague? It is nor hand, nor foot, Shall I hear more, or shall I speak at this? Or, if thou wilt not, be but sworn my love, O Romeo, Romeo! Wherefore (7) art thou Romeo? When he bestrides the lazy puffing clouds O, speak again, bright angel, for thou artĪs glorious to this night, being o’er my head, See how she leans her cheek upon her hand! That birds would sing and think it were not night.

Would through the airy region stream so bright The brightness of her cheek would shame those starsĪs daylight doth a lamp her eyes in heaven What if her eyes were there, they in her head? To twinkle in their spheres till they return. Having some business, do entreat her eyes Two of the fairest stars in all the heaven What of that? Her eye discourses I will answer it. Her vestal livery (3) is but sick and green, (4)Īnd none but fools do wear it. That (1) thou her maid (2) art far more fair than she. Which seems more mature, Romeo or Juliet? Whyīut soft! What light through yonder window breaks?Īrise, fair sun, and kill the envious moon Romeo has clambered over the wall into the orchard of the Capulet family when he sees the candlelight appear in Juliet’s bedroom window, which he immediately compares to the rising sun. This most famous of all love scenes shows Romeo at first lusting after the young girl he has just met at the masked ball where he has gone in disguise (because his family is feuding with hers) but she manages eventually to steer his thoughts toward marriage. Although the plot describes her as absurdly young, her passion is expressed with a fine intelligence and wit which makes her irresistible. But it is largely Juliet who makes the play come alive. Its hero even became a common noun: “a romeo” used to mean a lover. Romeo and Juliet is one of Shakespeare’s most beloved plays, having been turned into paintings, ballets, and several operas.

The script of the play romeo and juliet