he who hath steerage of my course

by Prof. Chelsie Zboncak MD 6 min read

By some vile forfeit of untimely death. But He, that hath the steerage of my course, Direct my sail!

What does he that hath the steerage of my course mean?

Romeo. But he that hath the steerage of my course. Direct my sail! On, lusty gentlemen. There's no point in Romeo worrying about his misgivings; fate will steer the course of his life just as a ship's pilot steers the ship's course by setting the sails accordingly.

Who said but he that hath the steerage of my course Direct my sail?

In the last two lines of his speech, Romeo says "But he that hath the steerage of my course, direct my sail." Who does Romeo NOT think is in charge of his life? How do Romeo and Juliet act when each discovers who the other is?

What does the phrase Betake him to his legs refer to?

Translation: The solution to heartache is to go out and have sex. But every man betake him to his legs. At the door, Benvolio gives everyone a last pep talk: they'll knock, enter, and immediately start dancing—all of them.

What does the quote under love's heavy burden do I sink mean?

Mercutio cleverly turns Romeo's remark, “Under love's heavy burden do I sink,” into a sexual innuendo. If Romeo should sink "it" in, then he would “burden love” with his body weight, which would be “too great oppression (pressing down) for a tender thing” like Rosaline.

What does hanging in the stars mean?

Before he goes to the masque where he will meet Juliet, Romeo has a feeling that the consequences of his decision to go will be “bitter.” He suspects that this is his fate—“hanging in the stars”—and his use of the word “stars” reminds the audience that he is “star-crossed” (I.i.).

Is Romeo and Juliet about fate or choice?

Though they did make their own choices, the story of Romeo and Juliet is controlled by fate over free will because of Juliet's relationship with her father, the build-up of misunderstandings, and the resolve that followed their death.

What does smelling out a suit mean?

When Queen Mab gallops across a courtier's nose, he dreams of smelling out a suit: discovering a person who has a request to make at court.

What does I'll be a candle holder and look on mean?

This line is a rephrasing of the first one, “A good candle-holder proves a good gamester,” meaning that an observer is more likely than a player to see the best move to make in a game, whether the game is cards or socializing.

Is love a tender thing it is too rough too rude?

It is too rough, too rude, too boisterous, and it pricks like thorn." Leonardo DiCaprio in Romeo + Juliet, 1996 cinespia.

What is Queen Mab the queen of?

Mab, also called Queen Mab, in English folklore, the queen of the fairies. Mab is a mischievous but basically benevolent figure. In William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, she is referred to as the fairies' midwife, who delivers sleeping men of their innermost wishes in the form of dreams.

What does my only love sprung from my only hate meaning?

Too early seen unknown, and known too late. Prodigious birth of love it is to me / That I must love a loathed enemy." ( 1.5.135-138) Juliet is conflicted because she has just realized the man she is falling in love with is the son of their family's enemy.

What does Juliet is the sun mean?

For example, when Romeo spots Juliet on her balcony, instead of saying "Oh, she looks nice!" he says It is the east, and Juliet is the sun. This image of Juliet as the sun shows us how bright she appears to him. The sun is necessary for life, so perhaps Romeo is suggesting that Juliet is essential for his life.

What does if love be rough with you be rough with love?

When Mercutio says, “ If love be rough with you, be rough with love. Prick love for pricking, and you beat love down” (1.4. 27-28), he is portraying that love is a physical and mental battle. He is saying that love is rough and that love will “prick like a thorn” (1.4.

What does Friar Lawrence mean by Wisely and slow they stumble that run fast?

"Wisely and slow, they stumble that run fast." Here, Friar Laurence is advising Romeo to think carefully and wisely about his decision to marry Juliet. This shows that Friar Laurence is wise because he is aware of what could happen.

Did my heart love till now meaning?

The line, “Did my heart love till now,” expresses the idea that Romeo didn't know what true love was until he met Juliet. In fact, this instant love and desire for Juliet could not be thwarted and, in turn, could have cost him. In many instances, the play suggests that his instinct to not wait hurt him in the end.

Who said O teach me how I should forget to think in Romeo and Juliet?

Romeo. O, teach me how I should forget to think. Benvolio.

What does Romeo understand about the feast?

Romeo understands that attending the feast is akin to crossing a threshold that leads to events outside of his control. The fact the he references the possibility of an “untimely death” demonstrates that he understands the danger of the family feud between Montague and Capulet.

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What are the lyrics to "We'll measure them a measure and be gone"?

We'll measure them a measure, and be gone. ROMEO. Give me a torch: I am not for this ambling; Being but heavy, I will bear the light. MERCUTIO. Nay, gentle Romeo, we must have you dance. ROMEO. Not I, believe me: you have dancing shoes. With nimble soles: I have a soul of lead.

How many times in that ere once in our five wits?

Five times in that ere once in our five wits.

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