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Replies | Post Reply | Shakespeare Queries From Genuinely Interested Students 4.2.97: Top | Help
When Juliet says "For saints have hands that pilgrims hands do touch, And palm to palm is holy palmers' kiss," she is telling Romeo that she is not a saint and that she has hands which touch those of pilgrims like him.
Rather than saying a handshake is enough, I believe she is saying that kissing is rather sudden and when two lovers hold hands, it is a kiss in holy terms. You have to remember that religion played an important role in
their lives and it was considered unsacred to kiss with lips that are meant for prayer alone. Juliet is trying to tell Romeo that the holy (and subtle) way of proffessing their love for one another is to hold one another's
hands. We also have to remember that Juliet was only 13 and Romeo was her first love, so she was a little intimidated and overwhelmed by it all.
I hope I have been of some help to you, although my commentary does tend to get rather confusing. If you have any other questions regarding R&J, e-mail me at sbazz@prodigy.net. I would be glad to help.
Posted by Charleen Barila on April 17, 1997 at 17:06:51
In Reply to "Biblical content of Romeo and Juliet" posted by xast on April 16, 1997 at 14:31:21
Replies | Post Reply | Shakespeare Queries From Genuinely Interested Students 4.2.97: Top | Help