Wherefore Art Thou

The Meaning of 'Wherefore Art Thou'

One of the most famous lines from William Shakespeare's play Romeo and Juliet is the phrase "wherefore art thou," spoken by Juliet in the balcony scene. This line is often misunderstood as meaning "where are you," but in reality, it translates to "why are you."

Juliet is asking Romeo, "Why are you Romeo?" She is questioning the fact that Romeo is a member of the rival family, the Montagues, and therefore their love is forbidden. She is lamenting the circumstances that prevent their love from being accepted by society.

Shakespeare's use of the word "wherefore" to mean "why" is reflective of the language of the time. In modern English, we use "wherefore" to refer to the location of something, but in Shakespearean English, it was used to ask the reason behind something.

So, next time you hear the phrase "wherefore art thou," remember that Juliet is not asking Romeo where he is, but rather why he has to be a Montague, and why their love is destined to be a tragedy. It's a poignant moment that captures the essence of the play's central theme of love and fate.