Famous Love Quotes from Romeo and Juliet

What could be more appropriate for your special sweetheart than a verse from William Shakespeare's, Romeo and Juliet, the most famous love story of all time? The following selections from Romeo and Juliet express the love and devotion of the young, star-crossed lovers. Although their love ends in tragedy, Shakespeare writes some of the most beautiful verses about young love in this play. Think about reading or rereading Romeo and Juliet with someone you love.

This famous love quote is taken from the remarkable scene where Romeo and Juliet first see each other. For the first time in the play, Romeo speaks like a true poet:

"Oh, she doth teach the torches to burn bright!

It seems she hangs upon the cheeks of night

As a rich jewel in an Ethiop's ear-

Beauty too rich for use, for earth too dear!"

So shows a snowy dove trooping with crows

As yonder lady o'er her fellows shows...

Did my heart love till now? Foreswear it, sight!

For I ne'er saw true beauty till this night.(I.v.46-55)

In another scene, Romeo is outside Juliet's window and hears her speaking about him. He speaks to her and she asks him how he found her because the walls surrounding her home are "high and hard to climb".

Romeo answers, "With love's light wings did I o'er perch these walls;

For stony limits cannot hold love out,

And what love can do, that dares love attempt.

Therefore, thy kinsman are no stop to me."(II.v.65-69)

After Romeo's explanation to Juliet, the couple profess their love to one another.

Juliet: What satisfaction can thou have tonight?

Romeo: The exchange of thy love's faithful vow for mine.

Juliet:I gave thee mine before thou didst request it;

And yet it were to give again.

Romeo: Wouldst thou withdraw it? For what purpose love?

Juliet: But to be frank and give it thee again.

And yet I wish but for the thing I have.

My bounty is as boundless as the sea

My love is deep; the more I give to thee, the more I have

For both are infinite.(II.v.126-135)

From here the love and tragedy of Romeo and Juliet develop with their marriage, Romeo's banishment, the death of Juliet, and finally, the death of Romeo.

One of the most touching quotes from Shakespeare's, Romeo and Juliet is in the final scene when the prince speaks to the grieving parents:

A glooming peace this morning with it brings.

The sun for sorrow will not show its head.

Go hence, to have more talk of these sad things;

Some shall be pardoned and some punished;

For never was a story of more woe

Than this of Juliet and her Romeo. (V.v.305-310)

Resource: William Shakespeare, Romeo and Juliet