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All Site ContentRomeo and JulietAct 3Scene 5
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"temper", "sleep in quiet"
Double Meaning
Act 3,
Scene 5
Lines 96-99

Double meaning of the word "temper" explained in myShakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, Act 3, Scene 5.

Juliet

Madam, if you could find out but a man
To bear a poison, I would temper it;
That Romeo should, upon receipt thereof,
Soon sleep in quiet. O, how my heart abhors

Juliet continues to use words with a double meaning:

  1. For Juliet’s mother: If Lady Capulet can find someone to bring a poison, Juliet will temper (arrange) it so that Romeo “sleeps in quiet” (dies).
  2. For Juliet: If Lady Capulet can find someone to bring a poison, Juliet will temper (modify) it so that Romeo only sleeps instead of dying.