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"unattainted"
Wordplay
Act 1,
Scene 2
Lines 85-90

An explanation of the double meaning of “unattainted” in Act 1, Scene 2 of myShakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet.

Benvolio

At this same ancient feast of Capulet's
Sups the fair Rosaline whom thou so lovest,
With all the admired beauties of Verona.
Go thither and, with unattainted eye,
Compare her face with some that I shall show,
And I will make thee think thy swan a crow.                

The double meaning of the word, “unattainted” gives this line two possible readings:

  • "Unattainted" can mean objective, which would suggest that Benvolio wants Romeo not to be corrupted by a bias for Rosaline.
  • But it can also mean not infected, which brings to mind his earlier metaphor of an eye infection in line 48.