SARAH:  Romeo continues to reflect on the double meaning of the word “sadness,” which, in Shakespeare’s day, could mean both unhappiness, and seriousness.

RALPH: He notes that one may urge a sick man to make out his will in sadness — in all seriousness — since it’s important that this task gets done before he dies.

SARAH:  But Romeo thinks that “in sadness” is a poor choice of words to use when urging someone like himself to do something seriously, since his illness is one of sadness. 

RALPH: That’s right. He is unhappy because he is in unrequited love. The last thing he wants is to be reminded of his broken heart.

SARAH:  As he puts it, sadness is “ a word ill-urged to one that is so ill” .

RALPH: Eventually, Romeo does respond to Benvolio’s urging, using seriousness in both its meanings:  “In sadness, cousin, I do love a woman.”