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All Site ContentRomeo and JulietAct 2Scene 2
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"contract"
Allusion
Act 2,
Scene 2
Lines 112a-120

An explanation of the significance of “contract” in Act 2, Scene 2 of myShakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet.

Romeo

What shall I swear by?

Juliet

                                     Do not swear at all,
Or, if thou wilt, swear by thy gracious self,
Which is the god of my idolatry,
And I'll believe thee.

Romeo

                                  If my heart's dear love —

Juliet

Well, do not swear. Although I joy in thee,
I have no joy of this contract tonight.
It is too rash, too unadvised, too sudden,
Too like the lightning, which doth cease to be
Ere one can say 'It lightens.' Sweet, good night.           

In Shakespeare's day, one entered a legal marriage contract simply by swearing love for the other person in front of a single witness. This could happen anywhere—even in a pub. There is no witness in this instance, so Juliet is referring to the implied contract one makes with God when swearing an oath.