3 ms·
Who art thou? (Well, not 19th century...)
by andai 10mo ago
Who art thou?
(Well, not 19th century...)
- geocar 10mo agoThe problem is the subjunctive mood of the word "art". "Art thou" should be translated into modern English as "are you to be", and so works better with things (what are you going to be), or people who are alive, and have a future (who are you going to be?). Those are probably the contexts you are thinking of.
- andai 10mo agoWherefore are you going to be Romeo?
- efreak 10mo agoWherefore is closer to why, or (as taught in literature classes) for what reason. Wherefore is a question, therefore is an answer.
- andai 10mo agoYes, I am confused about the meaning of "art" in this context.
- geocar 10mo agoWherefore is "For what reason or why". Juliet is not asking where Romeo is physically, but wondering why does he need to be a Montague. So yes you can interpret it as "for what reason or why are you going to be" (this thing she will now explain).