What does Juliet mean when she says O Romeo Romeo?



The phrase, “O Romeo! Why are you Romeo?” is the opening sentence of a romantically philosophic speech by the character Juliet. Its literal meaning is that Juliet is agonized to think that Romeo is a Montague, and painfully wishes him to have been from some other tribe.

Who says O Romeo O Romeo wherefore art thou Romeo?

Juliet

‘Wherefore art thou’ is one of Shakespeare’s most famous lines, spoken by Juliet in his Romeo and Juliet play. After meeting Romeo at the party her father has thrown to celebrate her engagement to Paris, Juliet goes up to her room.