ROMEO:
I fear, too early: for my mind misgives
Some consequence yet hanging in the stars
Shall bitterly begin his fearful date
With this night’s revels and expire the term
Of a despised life closed in my breast
By some vile forfeit of untimely death.
But He, that hath the steerage of my course,
Direct my sail! On, lusty gentlemen.
In this paragraph, Romeo explains that he feels he will be affected by a consequence controlled by fate, some consequence hanging in the stars. If he attends the party, his life will be taken early by forfeit, or what is known as the horrible sin of suicide, the worst crime of all in those days. He then asks God, the steerer of his course, to lead him on.
October 14, 2012 at 12:44 pm
This is an ideal, succinct summary of the passage. I’d encourage you to identify and ‘unpack’ the metaphors that you clearly understand as this is best practice when it comes to analytical writing.