Shakespeare Quote A Rose By Any Other Name
William Shakespeare is one of the greatest writers in English literature history. He has written numerous plays and sonnets that are still popular today. One of his most famous quotes is "A rose by any other name would smell as sweet." This quote is from his play Romeo and Juliet, and it has become a popular phrase that is still used today. In this article, we will explore the meaning and significance of this quote and its impact on our society.
The Origin of the Quote
The quote "A rose by any other name would smell as sweet" is found in Act II, Scene II of Romeo and Juliet. The scene takes place in Juliet's balcony, where she is talking to herself about her love for Romeo. She says:
'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 name would smell as sweet;
So Romeo would, were he not Romeo call'd,
Retain that dear perfection which he owes
Without that title. Romeo, doff thy name,
And for thy name, which is no part of thee,
Take all myself.
From these lines, we can understand that Juliet is expressing her love for Romeo and her frustration with the feud between their families. She believes that their love is real and that their names should not matter. She says that even if Romeo were called something else, he would still be the same person, and she would love him just as much.
The Meaning of the Quote
The quote "A rose by any other name would smell as sweet" means that the names of things do not affect what they really are. A rose would still smell sweet even if it were called something else. In the context of Romeo and Juliet, this means that Romeo would still be the same person even if he were not called Romeo. His name does not define who he is, and Juliet loves him for who he is as a person.
This quote has become popular in our society because it shows that names do not define people. People should be judged based on their actions and character, not their names. It also shows that love is more important than social status or family background. Romeo and Juliet's love transcends their families' feud and their names, and it is a reminder that love can conquer all.
The Significance of the Quote
The quote "A rose by any other name would smell as sweet" has become a popular phrase that is used in various contexts. It is often used to express that the names of things or people do not matter, and what really matters is their essence or true nature. It is also used to express that love is more important than social status or background.
Moreover, the quote has also been used in various works of literature and media. For example, it is referenced in the novel "The Fault in Our Stars" by John Green, where the protagonist Hazel Grace Lancaster says:
"But in the city in which I love you, every building is already a ruin and every heartbeat a betrayal. On TV the actors are all beautiful and perfect-looking, but they're not as beautiful and perfect-looking as you. Nobody is. Not even the girl who says 'A rose by any other name would smell as sweet.'"
This quote shows that the protagonist believes that the person she loves is more important than anything else, including the names of things or people.
Conclusion
The quote "A rose by any other name would smell as sweet" is a famous line from Shakespeare's play Romeo and Juliet. It means that the names of things do not affect what they really are. This quote has become popular in our society because it shows that names do not define people and that love is more important than social status or background. It has also been referenced in various works of literature and media. This quote is a reminder that love can conquer all, and that what really matters is the essence or true nature of things and people.