38 Famous William Shakespeare Quotes From Romeo and Juliet
“Statue of William Shakespeare at the centre of Leicester Square Gardens, London“, by Elliott Brown, is licensed under CC BY 2.0
William Shakespeare was a renowned English poet, playwright, and actor born in 1564 in Stratford-upon-Avon. He has become the most famous and influential author in English literature. Shakespeare is widely regarded as the greatest writer in the English language and the world’s pre-eminent dramatist. He is often called England’s national poet and nicknamed the Bard of Avon. Shakespeare produced most of his known works between 1589 and 1613. He wrote about 38 plays, 154 sonnets, two long narrative poems, and a few other verses, of which the authorship of some is uncertain. Shakespeare’s writing developed and evolved throughout his career. Scholars often divide his work into periods based on different aspects of his writing style.
He died within a month of signing his will, a document which he begins by describing himself as being in “perfect health”. In his will, Shakespeare left the bulk of his large estate to his elder daughter Susanna. Shakespeare was buried in the chancel of the Holy Trinity Church two days after his death. He retired from writing in 1613 and died three years later at the age of fifty-two. Most of his works were published posthumously in 1623. Shakespeare’s plays remain highly popular today and are constantly studied, performed, and reinterpreted in diverse cultural and political contexts throughout the world.
Quotes from Romeo and Juliet
“No, ’tis not so deep as a well, nor so wide as a church door; but ’tis enough, ’twill serve: ask for me tomorrow, and you shall find me a grave man.”
Romeo and Juliet [1595-1596], III, i, 101
“Wisely and slow; they stumble that run fast.”
Romeo and Juliet [1595-1596], II, iii, 94
“For never was a story of more woe Than this of Juliet and her Romeo.”
Romeo and Juliet, V, iii, 309
“Care keeps his watch in every old man’s eye, And where care lodges, sleep will never lie.”
Romeo and Juliet [1595-1596], II, iii, 35
“How oft when men are at the point of death
Have they been merry! which their keepers call
A lightning before death.”
Romeo and Juliet (1595) act 5, sc. 3, l. 88
“Night’s candles are burnt out, and jocund day
Stands tiptoe on the misty mountain tops.”
Romeo and Juliet (1595) act 3, sc. 5, l. 9
“’Tis an ill cook that cannot lick his own fingers.”
Romeo and Juliet, IV, ii, 6
“O! for a falconer’s voice,
To lure this tassel-gentle back again.”
Romeo and Juliet (1595) act 2, sc. 2, l. 158
“Gallop apace, you fiery-footed steeds,
Towards Phoebus’ lodging.”
Romeo and Juliet (1595) act 3, sc. 2, l. 1
“He was not born to shame:
Upon his brow shame is asham’d to sit.”
Romeo and Juliet, III, ii, 91
“I take thee at thy word: Call me but love, and I’ll be new baptized; Henceforth I never will be Romeo.”
Romeo and Juliet: A Tragedy, as it is Acted at the Theatres-Royal in Drury-Lane and Covent-Garden (ed. 1778)
“For stony limits cannot hold love out,
And what love can do that dares love attempt.”
Romeo and Juliet (1595) act 2, sc. 2, l. 67
“Do not swear at all;
Or, if thou wilt, swear by thy gracious self,
Which is the god of my idolatry.”
Romeo and Juliet [1595-1596], II, ii, 112
“How silver-sweet sound lovers’ tongues by night,
Like softest music to attending ears!”
Romeo and Juliet (1595) act 2, sc. 2, l. 165
“Beauty’s ensign yet
Is crimson in thy lips and in thy cheeks,
And death’s pale flag is not advanced there.”
Romeo and Juliet, V, iii, 94
“For I am proverb’d with a grandsire phrase.”
Romeo and Juliet [1595-1596], I, iv, 37
“Good-night, good-night! parting is such sweet sorrow
That I shall say good-night till it be morrow.”
Romeo and Juliet (1595) act 2, sc. 2, l. 184
“Is there no pity sitting in the clouds,
That sees into the bottom of my grief?”
Romeo and Juliet, III, v, 198
“Seal with a righteous kiss
A dateless bargain to engrossing death!”
Romeo and Juliet (1595) act 5, sc. 3, l. 114
“One writ with me in sour misfortune’s book.”
Romeo and Juliet, V, iii, 82
“Apothecary: My poverty, but not my will, consents. Romeo: I pay thy poverty, and not thy will.”
Romeo and Juliet, V, i, 75
“Hang up philosophy!
Unless philosophy can make a Juliet.”
Romeo and Juliet, III, iii, 56
“Death lies on her like an untimely frost
Upon the sweetest flower of all the field.”
Romeo and Juliet (1595) act 4, sc. 5, l. 28
“Young Adam Cupid, he that shot so trim When King Cophetua lov’d the beggarmaid.”
Romeo and Juliet [1595-1596], II, i, 13
“A plague o’ both your houses!
They have made worms’ meat of me.”
Romeo and Juliet [1595-1596], III, i, 112
“How art thou out of breath when thou hast breath To say to me that thou art out of breath?”
Romeo and Juliet. A tragedy. Now acting… by his Majesty’s Servants, at the Theatre-Royal in Smock-Alley (ed. 1747)
“You are a lover. Borrow Cupid’s wings and soar with them above a common bound.”
Romeo and Juliet. A tragedy. Now acting… by his Majesty’s Servants, at the Theatre-Royal in Smock-Alley (ed. 1747)
“At lovers’ perjuries,
They say, Jove laughs.”
Romeo and Juliet [1595-1596], II, ii, 92
If you liked our selection of William Shakespeare quotes from Romeo and Juliet, then perhaps you would also enjoy our collection of 50 Famous William Shakespeare Quotes From Macbeth.
Awesome quotes! I remember studying Romeo and Juliet in ninth grade English. This definitely brought back memories.
Thank you Cherie White! You can enjoy more Shakespeare quotes from Hamlet, Macbeth, etc. as well!
Awesome awesome👏👏👏
Thank you Lebogang!