In Act 2, Scene 2 of Shakespeare's "Romeo and Juliet," Juliet's famous line "What’s in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet" reflects her thoughts on the nature of identity and the arbitrary nature of names.
Juliet is expressing the idea that the name of something does not affect its essence or value. In the context of the play, she is lamenting the fact that Romeo is a Montague, a family that is feuding with her own family, the Capulets. She feels that if he were called by another name, he would still be the same person and would still possess the same qualities that she loves.
This statement underscores the idea that it is not the name or label that truly matters, but rather the individual and their character. It highlights themes of love, identity, and the conflict between social constructs and personal feelings. Ultimately, Juliet's yearning for a love that transcends familial ties illustrates the central conflict of the play.