RALPH:  The word sad derives from the latin word sat, meaning enough, full, satisfied. In Renaissance English, sad had evolved into two very different meanings.

SARAH:   One sense of “sad” was negative. If you’ve had too much of something, you’re fed up with it. That puts you in a bad mood—or makes you unhappy, and that’s how we still use the word “sad” today. 

RALPH:  Alternatively, if you are satisfied with the amount of knowledge or information you have, then you become confident in your opinions, or serious.

SARAH:   Both senses of the word “sad” were current in Shakespeare’s day. When Benvolio asks Romeo to tell him, “in sadness,” who it is that he loves, he means, “in all seriousness.”

RALPH:  Romeo intentionally misinterprets the word, using the other meaning of sadness: “You want me to tell you “in sadness”? Okay then, I’ll groan when I tell you.”