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All Site ContentRomeo and JulietAct 1Scene 1
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"Good heart"
Wordplay
Act 1,
Scene 1
Lines 178a-180

An explanation of the phrase “good heart” in Act 1, Scene 1 of myShakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet.

Romeo

Dost thou not laugh?

Benvolio

                                     No, coz, I rather weep.

Romeo

Good heart, at what?

Benvolio

                                     At thy good heart's oppression.

Romeo

Why, such is love's transgression.
  • Here, Romeo refers to Benvolio as a "good heart," or a true friend.
  • But Benvolio uses wordplay to twist the line, adding "thy good heart's oppression." He's arguing that Romeo's loving nature — his good heart — is being abused by his beloved, who doesn't return his affections.