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All Site ContentRomeo and JulietAct 1Scene 1
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"stir a foot to seek a foe"
Alliteration
Act 1,
Scene 1
Lines 70-75

An explanation of the phrase “stir one foot to seek a foe” in Act 1, Scene 1 of myShakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet.

Capulet

What noise is this? Give me my long sword, ho!

Lady Capulet

A crutch, a crutch — why call you for a sword?

Capulet

My sword, I say! Old Montague is come,
And flourishes his blade in spite of me.
[Enter the elderly Lord Montague in his nightgown and Lady Montague trying to restrain her husband]

Montague

Thou villain Capulet. [To his wife] Hold me not, let me go.

Lady Montague

Thou shalt not stir one foot to seek a foe.

Note the parallel phrases of "stir one foot" and "seek a foe." The alliteration and parallel structure give the line a proverbial feel.