In the context of "A crutch! A crutch! Why call you for a sword?" in Romeo and Juliet, Mercutio is mocking Romeo's reliance on love as a crutch instead of taking action. By calling for a sword, Romeo is seeking a physical solution to his emotional turmoil. Mercutio's words highlight the contrast between Romeo's idealistic view of love and the harsh reality of the feud between the Capulets and Montagues.
A crutch, a crutch! Why call for a sword?
Capulet:What noise is this? Give me my long sword, ho!Lady Capulet;A crutch, a crutch! why call you for a sword?Capulet:My sword, I say! old Montague is come,And flourishes his blade in spite of me.Enter old Montague and his wife Lady MontagueMontague:Thou villain Capulet! - Hold me not, let me go!Lady Montague:Thou shalt not stir one foot to seek a foe.
That they are too old for that sort of behaviour.
"Sweet sorrow"
holy friar
The missing words in the sentence are 'a crutch, a crutch!'. The words were spoken by Lady Capulet in Romeo and Juliet.
A crutch, a crutch! Why call for a sword?
Lady capulet
Lady Capulet means that a sword will only worsen the situation, like a crutch that will not help. She believes that violence will not solve the existing conflict and will only make things more difficult.
She says, "A crutch! a crutch! Why call you for a sword?" Clearly she thinks he is so old and feeble that he cannot swing a sword, but only hobble on a crutch.
This phrase is likely a combination of idioms. "Lean on me for support" and "use a sword for defense." It suggests the idea of being there for someone in a time of need, providing both emotional and physical protection.
This phrase is likely a poetic or metaphorical expression, emphasizing the need for support or assistance in a situation where a sword (symbolizing strength or aggression) is unnecessary or inappropriate. It suggests that seeking help or guidance (represented by a crutch) is more sensible than resorting to violence or force.
Capulet:What noise is this? Give me my long sword, ho!Lady Capulet;A crutch, a crutch! why call you for a sword?Capulet:My sword, I say! old Montague is come,And flourishes his blade in spite of me.Enter old Montague and his wife Lady MontagueMontague:Thou villain Capulet! - Hold me not, let me go!Lady Montague:Thou shalt not stir one foot to seek a foe.
That they are too old for that sort of behaviour.
Lady Capulet says this in Act 1 Scene 1.
Totally different things in Act 1 and Act 3. In Act 1 he says the Juliet is too young and that Paris should wait until she is 16. In Act 3 he says, "Hot Dang! Let's go for it! I'm sure Juliet will be happy to go along with this."
Juliet