Question

Benvolio: What sadness lengthens Romeo's hours?

Romeo: Not having that, which having, makes them short.

Benvolio: In love?

Romeo: Out–

Benvolio: Of love?

Romeo: Out of her favour, where I am in love.

—Romeo and Juliet,
William Shakespeare

Why is Romeo sad?


What would make the hours short?


What does Romeo mean when he says that he is “out of favor”?

Answer 1

1) Why is Romeo sad?
Because he’s in unrequited love: he loves a woman (Rosaline) who does not return his feelings, so he’s miserable and pining.

2) What would make the hours short?
Having the woman’s love or favor — being loved back — would make him happy and time would “fly” (feel short). In other words, possession of what he longs for would make his suffering end and time pass quickly.

3) What does “out of favor” mean?
It means he is not in her good graces — she does not favor him, approve of him, or return his affection (she has rejected or is indifferent to him).