My drama teacher asked us comment on Juliet's conception of names when she begins to say : "O Romeo, Romeo! Wherefore art thou, Romeo?..." until...

The is one of the most famous speeches of Shakespeare. The word "wherefore" here means not where, but why: Juliet is musing aloud about Romeo and the family feud that keeps them apart. She wonders why fate dictates that his name must be Romeo (and therefore Montague), which makes them enemies. "Deny thy father, and refuse thy name," she says, meaning, don't let tradition make you go against what you feel, and be willing to...

The is one of the most famous speeches of Shakespeare. The word "wherefore" here means not where, but why: Juliet is musing aloud about Romeo and the family feud that keeps them apart. She wonders why fate dictates that his name must be Romeo (and therefore Montague), which makes them enemies. "Deny thy father, and refuse thy name," she says, meaning, don't let tradition make you go against what you feel, and be willing to give up your identity for our love.

She continues, perhaps realizing this is an assertive request for someone she has just met: "or, if thou wilt not then be but sworn my love and I'll no longer be a Capulet!" Here, she is suggesting that if he seriously loves her, they can be married and her name will change, which might also nullify the family feud. Of course, she believes she is alone, but Romeo can hear her, and as the scene continues, this knowledge emboldens him to accept that she loves him.

"That which we call a rose, by any other name would smell as sweet," she says, and this is one of Shakespeare's most famous quotes. She means Romeo would be as wonderful as he is no matter what his name. She then playfully lists the parts of a man's body that are not his name; thinking on Romeo and the physical attraction she feels for him, and exploring the idea that physical romantic love is not about identity but about intimate union of body and soul. She wants this union very much, enough to give up her own identity and name, and finishes the speech, "Romeo, doff thy name, and for thy name, which is no part of thee, take all myself!" She is begging him to forget everything that has been, to leave his family behind, and to move forward into the future with her.