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All Site ContentRomeo and JulietAct 1Scene 4
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"curtsies straight"
Language
Act 1,
Scene 4
Lines 68-74

An explanation of the phrase “curtsies straight” in the Queen Mab speech of Act 1, Scene 4 of myShakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet.

Mercutio

And in this state she gallops night by night
Through lovers' brains, and then they dream of love;
O'er courtiers' knees, that dream on curtsies straight;
O'er lawyers' fingers, who straight dream on fees;
O'er ladies ' lips, who straight on kisses dream,
Which oft the angry Mab with blisters plagues,
Because their breaths with sweetmeats tainted are.
  • The courtier dreamed straightaway of receiving someone's curtsy, a bending of the knee made as a gesture of respect.
  • Or, alternatively, he dreamed of receiving a "straight" curtsy — any gesture of respect other than bending of the knee.