1.  O Romeo, Romeo! wherefore art thou Romeo?” (Act 2. Scene 2.33)

In this quote, Juliet is wishing Romeo wouldn't didn't belong to the Montague family. She doesn’t realize that he is actually below her in the orchard but she is despairing that their families are unlikely to accept their relationship because of their opposing backgrounds. The tension around family and social identity is a recurring theme in this play and central to the feud between the Montagues and Capulets.

2.  "Good Night, Good night! Parting is such sweet sorrow, that I shall say good night till it be morrow." (Act 2. Scene 2.185)

Here, Juliet is saying goodbye and expressing her grief at being apart from Romeo alas she describes it as ‘sweet sorrow’ as when they next meet, it will be for their wedding. It is vital to remember that many scenes in this play are set either late at night or very early in the morning.

  3. "But, soft, what light through yonder window breaks? It is the east, and Juliet is the sun!" (Act 2. Scene 2.3)

Romeo’s love for Juliet shines through in this exquisite quote. He likens her to a sunrise meanwhile she is totally unaware that Romeo is even nearby let alone below her window. This balcony scene from Romeo and Juliet is one of the most important scenes from any Shakespeare play and a beautiful and prominent sequence to remember.

     4. "What's in a name? That which we call a rose, By any other word would smell as sweet." (Act 2. Scene 2.43-44)

This is one of the most crucial quotes of the play, when Juliet reflects on the fact that people are not merely defined by their names. She believes in people being judged by their souls rather than their names alone and this displays her individualistic spirit and her values.

     5.  “O! I am Fortune’s fool!” (Act 3. Scene 1.136)

Fate and destiny are on Romeo mind when he makes this statement calling himself Fortune’s fool. Following the deaths of Mercutio and Tybalt, Benvolio speaks to Romeo and informs him that it is probable that Prince Paris will ruin him if he is caught. Romeo feels that it is particularly brutal that he might die so soon after getting married. This quote is one of the big references to the tragic destiny of these doomed lovers and their cruel fate.

 6.  “For never was a story of more woe than this of Juliet and her Romeo (Act 5. Scene 3. 317-318)

This quote comes at the end of the play and perfectly displays the doom and sorrow of their love.

Remembering these top 6 quotes and their explanations is a good way of reminding yourself of the plot of the play, the motives of the characters and the main themes, which are as universal and current today as they were in the time of Shakespeare.