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All Site ContentRomeo and JulietAct 1Scene 4
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"nothing"
Wordplay
Act 1,
Scene 4
Lines 90-94a

An explanation of the double meaning of the word “nothing” in Act 1, Scene 4 of myShakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet.

Mercutio

This is the hag, when maids lie on their backs,            
That presses them and learns them first to bear,
Making them women of good carriage.
This is she —

Romeo

                       Peace, peace, Mercutio, peace!
Thou talk'st of nothing.

Mercutio

Benvolio

Romeo

Benvolio

[Exit]

Romeo engages in a bit of wordplay here, resulting in a double meaning:

  • In one sense, "nothing" can mean nonsense, as in, this whole speech doesn't make any sense to Romeo.
  • But "nothing" is also slang for the vagina. In that sense, Romeo interrupts Mercutio when he starts talking of a woman’s giving birth or having sex.