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ROMEO There is thy gold, worse poison to men's souls…

“ROMEO There is thy gold, worse poison to men's souls, Doing more murders in this loathsome world, Than these poor compounds that thou mayst not sell. I sell thee poison; thou hast sold me none. Farewell: buy food, and get thyself in flesh. Come, cordial and not poison, go with me To Juliet's…” quote by William Shakespeare
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“ROMEO There is thy gold, worse poison to men's souls, Doing more murders in this loathsome world, Than these poor compounds that thou mayst not sell. I sell thee poison; thou hast sold me none. Farewell: buy food, and get thyself in flesh. Come, cordial and not poison, go with me To Juliet's grave; for there must I use thee.”

William Shakespeare

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Romeo compares love to poison, suggesting that love can be more destructive than any toxin, yet he still longs for intimacy even in death.

In simple terms: Love can be both deadly and alluring, yet we still seek it.

Key Takeaway

Beware of love’s destructive potential while embracing its depth.

Themes

love death destruction passion fate

Mood

tragic intense poetic

Type

soliloquy dramatic literary

When to use this quote

  • romantic relationships
  • family feuds
  • personal sacrifice
  • life and death decisions

Key Concepts

poison metaphor tragic irony dual nature of love

Questions to Reflect On

  • Can love be both beautiful and harmful?
  • How do you balance passion with self‑preservation?
A Different Perspective

The metaphor may romanticize harmful relationships, overlooking healthy love.

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