Romeo and Juliet. HELP?

Question

can someone please explain Juliet's "what in a name" speech in act two. Do you believe this speech is still relevant today?

Answer 1

This speech represents the fundamental conflict in the play: Romeo's family (Montague) is feuding with Juliet's (Capulet), making love between the two socially unacceptable.

Juliet starts out by asking why, of all the men in Verona, he is the one she has fallen in love with ("Wherefore art thou Romeo" means why are you Romeo, not where are you). She goes on to say that a name is just a name ("that which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet"); it doesn't define the essence of a person. If Romeo were the same person but had a different name, then everything would be perfect. But by the same token, the fact that he is a Montague doesn't make her love him any less. She concludes by saying that if Romeo would turn away from his family, she would give herself to him without reservation.

I think the speech is still completely relevant. Any time two young lovers deal with their families' prejudice, they are echoing the struggle of Romeo and Juliet.

Answer 2

"Deny thy father or refuse thy name. Or, if thou wilt not, I shall no longer be a Capulet". The balcony scene. She's talking about the same thing. "A rose by any other name would smell as sweet". Names are too important in their social circle. It really matters if your a Montague or a Capulet because the two families have a long-standing feud.

So take this line "What's in a name?" What's so important in what a person's name is?? "A rose by any other name would smell as sweet" Call a rose a Capulet, it still smells good doesn't it? Call it a Montague, does it suddenly smell bad? No. Although it matters a great deal to her family, it doesn't matter to Juliet if Romeo is a Montague, he's still the wonderful guy she loves.

With so much racism and bias, yes I believe it is still relevant today as it has been for all this time. Date a guy named Ahmed or Khaja while your Marine Corps. brother is being blown up by an Iraqi bomb and see how your family reacts.

Answer 3

By saying whats in a name [referring to Romeos surname Montague] she means that it's only their names that are keeping them from knowing each other and being together. If they did no posses the names Capulet and Montague their lives would be so much different and they wouldn't have this invisible barrier forbidding them from knowing each other, purely because their family's are arch rivals due to their names.
So what's in a name? - what's so important about the name that keeps them from knowing eachother?

Answer 4

It's pretty clear to me, especially when Romeo yells out "I'll take you at your word!" at the end.

What is unclear? Very short speech very clear.

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 that name, which is no part of thee,
Take all myself.

Answer 5

http://www.enotes.com/shakespeare-quotes/what-s-name-which-we-call-rose
maybey this will help.. try and deduce your own opinions about todays relevance.

Answer 6

nope

Answer 7

okay freaky