Friday, July 29, 2011

For you and I are past our dancing days (Romeo and Juliet, 1. 5)

Old Capulet is throwing a ball. Here he pulls a contemporary off the floor, protesting that "you and I are past our dancing days." His meaning is clear: "Let's not make spectacles of ourselves; we're too old for such strenuous, exhibitionistic activities." Capulet may be referring to a proverb, because the formulation shows up several times within a decade of the first performance of Romeo and Juliet. On the other hand, later writers may intend their audiences to recognize the reference to Shakespeare. (source: http://www.enotes.com/shakespeare-quotes/dancing-days)
 
Plain English: You and I are too old for dancing.

 let lips do what hands do

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