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All Site ContentRomeo and JulietAct 5Scene 3
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"Seal up the mouth of outrage"
Language
Act 5,
Scene 3
Lines 213-222

An explanation of the phrase “mouth of outrage” in Act 5, Scene 3 of myShakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet.

Prince

Look, and thou shalt see.

Montague

O thou untaught! What manners is in this,
To press before thy father to a grave?

Prince

Seal up the mouth of outrage for a while,
Till we can clear these ambiguities,
And know their spring, their head, their true descent;
And then will I be general of your woes,
And lead you even to death. Meantime forbear,           
And let mischance be slave to patience.
Bring forth the parties of suspicion.

Most simply, the Prince is telling everyone to be quiet. But his double meaning could also be to tell them to cover up the opening to the tomb so that they don't look upon its horrible sights.