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All Site ContentRomeo and JulietAct 2Scene 6
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"measure"
Wordplay
Act 2,
Scene 6
Lines 24-29

An explanation of the wordplay on “measure” in Act 2, Scene 6 of myShakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet.

Romeo

Ah, Juliet, if the measure of thy joy
Be heaped like mine and that thy skill be more
To blazon it, then sweeten with thy breath
This neighbor air, and let rich music's tongue
Unfold the imagined happiness that both
Receive in either by this dear encounter.

This moment of wordplay gives these lines two possible interpretations:

  • Romeo refers to the measurement of Juliet's joy like one would measure grain heaped into a cone shape.
  • The line also refers to a measure of music, which Juliet could sing to express her joy.