Toolbox



Textual Analysis

[ Go ]

Shakespeare on Stage
American Shakespeare Center, Return to the Forbidden Planet. To Dec. 1, 2013.
Folger Shakespeare Library, Twelfth Night. To Jun. 9, 2013.
American Shakespeare Center, Twelfth Night. To Jun. 16, 2013.
American Shakespeare Center, The Duchess of Malfi. To Jun. 15, 2013.
American Shakespeare Center, Love's Labour's Lost. To Jun. 15, 2013.
More Performances…
‌

Romeo and Juliet (Quarto 2, 1599)

Author: William Shakespeare
Editor: Roger Apfelbaum
Peer Reviewed
of Romeo and Iuliet.
1610His aged arme beates downe their fatall poynts,
And twixt them rushes, vnderneath whose arme,
An enuious thrust from Tybalt, hit the life
Of stout Mercutio, and then Tybalt fled,
But by and by comes backe to Romeo,
1615Who had but newly entertaind reuenge,
And toote they go like lightning, for ere I
Could draw to part them, was stout Tybalt slaine:
And as he fell, did Romeo turne and flie,
This is the truth, or let Benuolio die.
1620Ca.Wi. He is a kinsman to the Mountague,
Affection makes him false, he speakes not true:
Some twentie of them fought in this blacke strife,
And all those twentie could but kill one life.
I beg for Iustice which thou Prince must giue:
1625Romeo slew Tybalt, Romeo must not liue.
Prin. Romeo slew him, he slew Mercutio,
Who now the price of his deare bloud doth owe.
Capu. Not Romeo Prince, he was Mercutios friend,
His fault concludes, but what the law should end,
1630The life of Tybalt.
Prin. And for that offence,
Immediately we do exile him hence:
I haue an interest in your hearts proceeding:
My bloud for your rude brawles doth lie a bleeding.
1635But ile amerce you with so strong a fine,
That you shall all repent the losse of mine.
It will be deafe to pleading and excuses,
Nor teares, nor prayers shall purchase out abuses.
Therefore vse none, let Romeo hence in hast,
1640Else when he is found, that houre is his last.
Beare hence this body, and attend our will,
Mercie but murders, pardoning those that kill.
Exit.
Enter Iuliet alone.
1645Gallop apace, you fierie footed steedes,
G
Towards