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All Site ContentRomeo and JulietAct 1Scene 3
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"look"
Wordplay
Act 1,
Scene 3
Lines 98-101

An explanation of the wordplay on “look” in Act 1, Scene 3 of myShakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet.

Lady Capulet

Speak briefly, can you like of Paris' love?

Juliet

I'll look to like, if looking liking move.
But no more deep will I indart mine eye
Than your consent gives strength to make it fly.

Shakespeare uses some wordplay to take advantage of two possible meanings of “look”:

  • In the first sense, "look" means "expect." Juliet expects to like Paris, after she sees him.
  • In the second sense, "looking" simply means "seeing." Once she sees Paris, if she likes what she sees, she'll like him.