Immortal Phrases from Shakespeare:

(Continued from last week)

Part II - The story as it goes

Not realising that Romeo is secretly watching her under the Orchard, Juliet calls for Romeo to reject his family and come to her. When Romeo comes out of his Place, Juliet feels shy. She instantly asks Romeo to leave the Place because he would be put to death if he is caught within Capulets premises. She expresses her love for Romeo and reveals her intention to marry him. "If you really love me, and want to marry me, send me a message tomorrow." Saying this she goes into her Chamber. Romeo, instead of going home, at once goes to meet his best Counsellor, Friar Lawrence. The Friar is surprised to hear the sudden change in Romeo who has been madly in love with Rosaline. However, the Friar agrees to marry them. He thinks a marriage between Romeo and Juliet will surely put a stop to the longstanding quarrel between the two families.

With a simple ceremony the Friar marries the two lovers. Juliet goes back to her house expecting Romeo's secret return into her chamber. Meanwhile, Romeo's two friends Benvolio and Mercutio are walking on the street looking for him. Suddenly they meet Tybalt who is Juliet's cousin. He challenges Romeo to a fight when Romeo too comes on the scene. Mercutio fights with Tybalt and is killed. Romeo gets the news of his friends death and fights with Tybalt who falls dead in the fight. Romeo runs to Friar's monastery to hide. The Prince of Verona comes to the scene and banishes Romeo from Verona. He declares "If he is found here again, I will definitely put him to death."

(After the feast, Juliet comes to the window of her chamber and expresses her love for Romeo)

Juliet: O, Romeo, Romeo! Wherefore art thou Romeo

Deny thy father and refuse thy name.

Or, if thou wilt not, be but sworn my love

And I'll no longer be a Capulet

'Tis but thy name that is my enemy.

Thou art thyself, though not a Montague

What's Montague? It is nor hand nor foot

Nor arm, nor face nor, any other part

Belonging to a man. O' be some other name!

What's in a name? That which we call a rose

By any other word would smell as sweet....

(in current English)

"O, Romeo! Why are you Romeo (a Montague)

Please refuse your father's ideas and remove your name.

If you're prepared to do it, swear on my love

and I too am ready to break away from Capulet's family.

Only your name (Montague) is my enemy.

I know you are yourself. You're not a Montague.

What is the meaning of the word Montague? It is neither a hand nor a foot.

It is neither an arm, nor a face, nor any organ

Belonging to a man. O, please have another name for yourself.

What can a name do? What we call a rose

Will definitely have the same sweet fragrance though we may give it another name."

(Juliet is surprised how Romeo is within Capulet's premises and asks how he came within off walls)

Romeo: With love's light wings did I O'erperch these walls, for stony limits cannot hold love out, .....

(in current English)

"Using the light wings of love I flew over these walls.

Because the high stone walls cannot prevent the love coming in..."

(Juliet is afraid that her father's guards will kill Romeo and strictly tells Romeo to leave the place) Then Romeo says,

Romeo: Alack, there lies more peril in thine eye

Than twenty of their swords! Look thou but sweet,

And I am proof against their enmity.

"My God! There is much more danger in your eyes

Than twenty of their swords have! Please look at me with a sweet smile

I can protect myself from the angry attacks by your family guards."

(When Romeo swears on moon about his love)

Juliet: O, swear not by the moon th' inconstant moon,

That monthly changes in her circled orb

Lest that thy love prove likewise variable.

(in current English)

Please don't compare your love to that fickle moon. (always changing)

It monthly changes its movement of sphere.

I am afraid your love also will be like the moon. (changing one)

(When Juliet expresses her deep love for Romeo)

Juliet: But to be frank and give it thee again.

And yet I wish but for the thing I have.

My bounty is as boundless as the sea,

My love as deep. The more I give to thee

The more I have, for both are infinite.

(in current English)

Honestly I'll give my love to you.

I'm happy to have your love with me.

My generosity is as limitless as the sea.

My love is as deep as the sea. I can give you more.

But I have more because my generosity and love are limitless.

(When the lovers depart with promises to meet again)

Juliet: This bud of love by Summer's ripening breath

May prove a beauteous flower when next we meet.

(in current English)

"Our blossoming love, with the sweet atmosphere of summer

Will be a beautiful flower (come to the full growth) when we meet again.

(When Juliet says "Thousand times good night.")

Romeo: Thousand times the worse, to want thy light!

Love goes toward love as school boys from their books,

But love from love, toward school with heavy looks.

(in current English)

"It is thousand times bad because this night I do not have the light of your face.

A lover is attracted by his love just as unstudious school boys run away from their books.

If a lover departs from his love, it is just like an unstudious school boy goes to school reluctantly."

(When the Friar Lawrence gets to know about Romeo's sudden decision to marry Juliet)

Friar: Holy Saint Francis! What a change is here!

Is Rosaline, that thou did st love so dear,

So soon forsaken? Young men's love then lies

Not truly in their hearts, but in their eyes.

How much salt, water thrown away in waste

To season love, that of it doth not taste!

Women may fall when there's no strength in men!

(in current English)

"My God! What a surprising change of ideas is here!

Is Rosaline, whom you loved so madly

Forgotten so quickly? (I feel that) young men's love is not deeply felt in their hearts. But their love goes only to the outward beauty that they see.

How much tears did you waste (tears are salty in taste)

To make your love tasty but, it did not taste (as Rosaline did not return your love)

Women reject men when men do not have strength of character!

(To be continued)

-Amal Hewavissenti