Romeo and Juliet quotes, explained for kids
Romeo and Juliet is a play, so every line here was written to be spoken aloud on a stage. Shakespeare’s words are over 400 years old, yet people still say “wherefore art thou Romeo?” and “a rose by any other name” today. Read a line together in your best actor’s voice, explain the old words, then ask the question. These quotes are a gentle way to talk with a 6–9 year old about friendship, family quarrels and thinking before you act.
Every line is quoted word for word from the original 1597 play by William Shakespeare.
Quote 1: “Two households, both alike in dignity, In fair Verona, where we lay our scene,”
Chorus, these are the first words of the play, spoken by the Chorus before the story begins What it means: Two important families live in the city of Verona, and that is where our story will happen. “Households” means families, and “dignity” means they are both proud and well respected.
Ask your child: Why do you think a play would tell you where it is set before it starts?
Quote 2: “A pair of star-cross’d lovers”
Chorus, in the opening speech, the Chorus tells the audience who the story is about What it means: “Star-crossed” means very unlucky, as if the stars in the sky were working against them. The Chorus is warning us that Romeo and Juliet’s story will not be an easy one.
Ask your child: Do you believe in luck? Is there anything you do for good luck?
Quote 3: “O, she doth teach the torches to burn bright!”
Romeo, at the Capulets’ party, Romeo sees Juliet for the very first time What it means: Romeo thinks Juliet is so beautiful and bright that she could show the torches on the walls how to shine.
Ask your child: How would you describe something that amazed you the first time you saw it?
Quote 4: “But soft, what light through yonder window breaks? It is the east, and Juliet is the sun!”
Romeo, after the party, Romeo sneaks into the Capulets’ garden and sees Juliet at her window What it means: “But soft” means “wait, quiet!” Romeo sees a light at a window over there (“yonder”) and says Juliet is like the sun rising in the morning.
Ask your child: If you compared your favorite person to something in nature, what would you choose?
Quote 5: “O Romeo, Romeo, wherefore art thou Romeo?”
Juliet, standing at her window, not knowing Romeo can hear her, Juliet thinks out loud What it means: “Wherefore” means “why,” not “where.” Juliet is asking why Romeo has to be a Montague, from the one family she is supposed to hate.
Ask your child: Is it fair to dislike someone just because of the family or team they belong to?
Quote 6: “What’s in a name? That which we call a rose By any other name would smell as sweet;”
Juliet, still at her window, Juliet keeps thinking about Romeo’s family name What it means: A rose would smell just as nice if we called it something else. In the same way, Romeo would still be wonderful even if his last name were different.
Ask your child: If a rose were called a “stinkweed,” would it still smell sweet? What makes a person who they are?
Quote 7: “Parting is such sweet sorrow That I shall say good night till it be morrow.”
Juliet, at the end of the balcony scene, Juliet and Romeo can hardly stop saying good night What it means: Saying goodbye is sad, but it is also sweet, because it means you care about each other. Juliet would happily keep saying good night until morning (“morrow”).
Ask your child: Have you ever not wanted to say goodbye to someone? What did it feel like?
Quote 8: “Wisely and slow; they stumble that run fast.”
Friar Laurence, romeo rushes to the friar, wanting to marry Juliet that very day What it means: The friar means: go slowly and think carefully. People who rush often trip and make mistakes.
Ask your child: Can you remember a time when rushing made something go wrong?
Quote 9: “A plague o’ both your houses.”
Mercutio, mercutio, Romeo’s witty friend, is badly hurt when the young men of the two families start a sword fight What it means: A “plague” is a terrible sickness, and “houses” means families. Mercutio is angry at both families, because their silly quarrel has hurt him.
Ask your child: Why is Mercutio angry at both families, not just one?
Quote 10: “For never was a story of more woe Than this of Juliet and her Romeo.”
Prince Escalus, these are the last lines of the play, spoken by the ruler of Verona after the families learn a very sad lesson What it means: “Woe” means sadness. The Prince says there has never been a sadder story than this one, and he hopes the families will never fight again.
Ask your child: What lesson do you think the two families should learn?
Questions about Romeo and Juliet quotes
- What is the most famous quote from Romeo and Juliet?
- The most famous line is Juliet’s “O Romeo, Romeo, wherefore art thou Romeo?” from the balcony scene. “What’s in a name? That which we call a rose By any other name would smell as sweet” and “Parting is such sweet sorrow” are close behind.
- What does “wherefore art thou Romeo” mean?
- “Wherefore” is an old word for “why,” so Juliet is not asking where Romeo is. She is asking why he has to be Romeo, a Montague, from the family her own family hates.
- Who says “A plague o’ both your houses”?
- Mercutio, Romeo’s witty best friend, says it after he is hurt in a sword fight. He blames both the Montagues and the Capulets for the quarrel that hurt him.
- What does “star-crossed lovers” mean?
- It means two people in love who are very unlucky, as if the stars themselves were set against them. Shakespeare uses the phrase in the play’s opening speech, and people still use it today.