Have you seen the phrase 'Oh Romeo Romeo wherefore art thou Romeo' somewhere and would like to know more about the meaning, context or early origin of the phrase? It is a common quote from a Shakespeare play, and it is one of the most frequently repeated phrases from all his works. This post unpacks its meaning and origin.
Meaning
The phrase 'oh Romeo Romeo wherefore art thou Romeo' is a common English phrase that is often used as a reference to a loved one romantically missing another one.
The phrase can also be used as an exclamation to say that someone (usually a single person) is still looking for their partner and thus unmarried.
The saying implies that someone is calling out for someone they love and yet there is no response from the other side.
The most common use of the phrase is to use the phrase with humorous undertones or sarcastic implications. Use of this phrase is often as a means to add drama to the situation or context of what has already been said.
The phrase is a common pop culture reference, and many characters in written and filmed fiction have exclaimed the phrase.
It implies that someone is looking for their romantic love, and there are many different ways to use the same phrase.
There are several different ways to punctuate the phrase, including to use commas. Valid use of the phrase also includes without.
The phrase is most commonly used as a complete saying, and is not often abbreviated for use. The most common way in which the phrase is abbreviated is 'Romeo, Romeo' with the rest of the meaning assumed as understood by the audience.
Example Usage
“I waited for three hours, but my date never showed up to the party. Oh Romeo, Romeo, wherefore art thou Romeo?”
“Romeo, Romeo, wherefore art thou Romeo? I guess I should start up a dating profile if I'm not married by the time I'm thirty, or it's probably never going to happen.”
“If you don't find the right one, then maybe you should just think about the next one. Romeo, Romeo, wherefore art thou Romeo?”
“Romeo, Romeo, wherefore art thou Romeo? I don't think that I'm ever going to find a date at this speed, and maybe I should just try out some speed dating.”
Origin
The origin of the phrase 'Romeo Romeo wherefore art thou Romeo' is a phrase that is quoted directly from one of William Shakespeare's most famous and often read plays: Romeo and Juliet.
The play was released in 1592, and the phrase became common as a cultural reference sometime through the 1600s. The true popularity of the phrase would come later, when the phrase was used again in Hollywood adaptations of Shakespeare's works in the 90s and later.
Continued use of the phrase would spread, even though 'wherefore' did not mean 'where' but 'why' in the original context.
Today the phrase is used as a pop culture reference that means someone is looking for their partner or lover (with the implication that they have not literally found them, or that they have yet to find their partner in life or marriage).
The most common use of the phrase is to use it in its entiriety, although there are shortened versions of the phrase where the meaning is assumed to be understood by the rest of the discussion.
Someone can say 'Romeo Romeo wherefore art thou Romeo?' or a selection of the phrase could be used as a replacement: Simply 'Romeo Romeo' would be enough for the rest of the saying to be assumed, and the last half 'wherefore art thou Romeo?' can also be used.
Phrases Similar to Romeo Romeo Wherefore Art Thou Romeo
- N/a
Phrases Opposite to Romeo Romeo Wherefore Art Thou Romeo
- N/a
What is the Correct Saying?
- Romeo Romeo wherefore art thou Romeo
- Romeo, Romeo, wherefore art thou, Romeo?
Ways People May Say Romeo Romeo Wherefore Art Thou Romeo Incorrectly
There are several ways in which someone can use the phrase 'Romeo, Romeo wherefore art thou Romeo' in the wrong way or misunderstand the context of the saying when it has been used.
The phrase implies that someone is, literally or not, looking for their partner.
Acceptable Ways to Phrase Romeo Romeo Wherefore Art Thou Romeo
The correct way to use the phrase 'Romeo Romeo, wherefore art thou Romeo?' is as an expression to imply that someone is physically looking for (or has not yet found) their partner.