Romeo and Juliet

Question

by William Shakespeare

Juliet.

What's in a name? That which we call a rose

By any other word would smell as sweet.

So Romeo would, were he not Romeo called,

Retain that dear perfection which he owes

Without that title.



From Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare



Question
Use the passage to answer the question.

In one or two sentences, describe the meaning of this analogy.

Answer 1

In this analogy, Juliet expresses the idea that a name is merely a label and does not define the essence of a person or object. She suggests that Romeo would be just as wonderful and perfect regardless of what he is called, much like a rose would still possess its sweet fragrance even if it were named differently.