In Shakespeare’s play Romeo and Juliet, the word ‘doth’ is an archaic form of the verb ‘does’. It is used in Early Modern English, which was the form of English used during Shakespeare’s time. The word ‘doth’ is often used to add a poetic or formal tone to the dialogue.
For example, in the famous balcony scene, Juliet says, “O Romeo, Romeo! wherefore art thou Romeo? Deny thy father and refuse thy name; Or, if thou wilt not, be but sworn my love, And I’ll no longer be a Capulet.” Here, ‘doth’ is not explicitly used, but similar archaic forms are present throughout the text to maintain the play’s poetic style.
Understanding these archaic terms can help readers and audiences better appreciate the beauty and depth of Shakespeare’s language.