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?
adversary:
enemy.
ere:
before.
on part and part:
some on one side,
some on the other.
fray:
fight.
drave:
drove.
rooteth:
grows.
made:
moved;
covert:
covering.
Romeo saw Benvolio coming and hid in
the woods. Since Benvolio himself was
seeking solitude, he decided to respect
Romeo’s privacy and did not go after
him.
Aurora’s bed:
Aurora was the
goddess of the dawn.
portentous:
indicating evil to come;
threatening.
importuned:
importuned: asked in an urgent way.
his own affections’ counselor:
Romeo
keeps to himself.
so far from . . . know:
Finding
out what Romeo is thinking is almost
impossible. Montague compares his son
to a young bud destroyed by the bite of a
worm before it has a chance to open its
leaves. Montague wants to find out what
is bothering Romeo so he can help him.
shrift:
confession.
cousin:
any relative or close friend.
The informal version is coz.
love:
love: references to Cupid, the god
of love, typically pictured as a blind boy
with wings and a bow and arrow. Anyone
hit by one of his arrows falls in love
instantly. Cupid looks sweet and gentle,
but in reality he can be a harsh master.
purged:
cleansed (of the smoke).
vexed:
troubled.
gall:
something causing bitterness
or hate.
Soft:
Soft: Wait a minute.
sadness:
seriousness.
She’ll . . . unharmed:
The girl
isn’t interested in falling in love. She is
like Diana, the goddess of chastity, who
fended off Cupid’s arrows.
She will not . . . saint-seducing
gold:
gold: She is not swayed by Romeo’s
declaration of love, his adoring looks, or
his wealth.
For beauty . . . posterity:
posterity: By
denying herself love and marriage, she
wastes her beauty, which will not be
passed on to future generations.
to merit . . . despair:
despair: The girl will
reach heaven (bliss) by being so virtuous,
which causes Romeo to feel hopelessness
or despair; forsworn to: sworn not to.
’Tis . . . more:
That would only
make me appreciate my own love’s
beauty more.
Show me . . . that passing fair:
A woman who is exceedingly (passing)
beautiful will only remind me of my love,
who is even prettier.
I’ll pay . . . debt:
I’ll convince you
you’re wrong, or die trying.
bound:
obligated.
reckoning:
reputation.
what say . . . suit:
Paris is asking for
Capulet’s response to his proposal to
marry Juliet.
let two more summers . . . pride:
let two more years pass.
The earth . . . she:
All my children
are dead except Juliet.
woo her:
try to win her heart.
An . . . voice:
I will give my approval
to the one she chooses.
