What then _is_ the theme of this play? It is not easy to frame a definition strict enough and comprehensive enough to embrace it in all its aspects, and to embrace nothing more; but, in general terms, I believe the subject of the play may be thus stated: _The unrestrained pursuit of the ruling passion or caprice of the moment._ This is the general subject of the whole play, and it is the particular subject of every scene and of every speech. All the winds of passion are let loose, and they blow where they list. Love and hate, hope and fear, courage and despair, and with them the wildest vagaries of fancy and caprice—all are in the field together; yet all move in subordination to the “central idea,” even as the ocean tides are governed by the moon. All the personages of the play are made to illustrate this subject, each according to his own nature and circumstances. _Romeo_ and _Juliet_ tossed on the stormy sea of ill-starred love, pass from the summit of bliss to despair and death. The hatred of _Montague_ and _Capulet_ is drowned in tears, and from their grief springs reconciliation and friendship. _Mercutio_ is a courtier and a wit, his spirits are always brim-full, and sparkling; and he pursues and runs down every phantom that happens to flit across his mind. His wit, and all his speeches are _entirely_ of this character. He never opens his lips except to utter something fantastical. The _Nurse_, by following _her_ impulses wherever they lead, presents a most ludicrous specimen of _garrulity_. Wherever the “fiery” _Tybalt_ sees any one belonging to the house of Montague his sword instantly leaps from its scabbard. Friar _Laurence_ and the _Prince_ discourse on the subject, and all the inferior characters, as we shall see, adapt themselves to it. For the purposes of a more minute examination, it will be convenient to group the chief passages under several heads. 1. _Suggestives of the fancy; viz., quibbles, conceits, etc._ The play opens with a dialogue between Samson and Gregory, two servants of Capulet’s. I quote the first few lines: _Sam._ Gregory, o’ my word, we’ll not _carry coals_. [that is, _bear injuries_ _Greg._ No, for then we should be _colliers_. [An ancient term of abuse. _Sam._ I mean an we be in _choler_ we’ll _draw_. _Greg._ Ay, while you live _draw_ your neck out of the _collar_. _Sam._ I _strike_ quickly, being _moved_. _Greg._ But thou art not quickly _moved_ to _strike_. _Sam._ A dog of the house of Montague _moves_ me. _Greg._ To _move_ is—to _stir_; and to be valiant is to _stand to it_; therefore, if thou art _moved_ thou _runnest away_. _Sam._ A dog of that house shall _move_ me to _stand_, etc. etc.