Antony Mastroniani

Research

Wherefore Doesnt Mean Why Either

Global Journal of Human Social Sciences September 21, 2023

In Ò€œR omeo and Juliet,Ò€ Juliet says Ò€œO Romeo, Romeo, wherefore art thou Ro meo?Ò€ This has been translated as meaning why are you Romeo. A different interpretation comes from Ò€œwhereforeÒ€ itself and should be used instead. Ò€œForeÒ€ Ò€œForeÒ€ is at the end of Ò€œwhereforeÒ€ and it means Ò€œbefore,Ò€ as shown by words like Ò€œforearmÒ€ and Ò€œforewarned.Ò€ At a wedding, a priest might say Ò€œdo you swear before all your family and friends...Ò€ And it should be noted that given that Shakespeare wrote Ò€œRomeo and JulietÒ€ hundreds of years ago, English was closer to German that it is now and that the German word for Ò€œwith whatÒ€ is Ò€œwomit,Ò€ which literally translates into Ò€œwhere with.Ò€ There is also a line in Ò€œRomeo and JulietÒ€ that ends with Ò€œfor thou hast need.Ò€ (Shakespeare, Rome and Julie, 1597, Act 4, Scene 3).