What did Shakespeare mean by this: "A rose by any other name would smell as sweet"?

Question

What did Shakespeare mean by this: "A rose by any other name would smell as sweet"?

Answer 1

I think he meant that whatever you're called, whatever people call you or think of you, you're still YOU. like if a rose was called a daisy, it would look the same and smell the same. but i could be wrong... just guessing here

Answer 2

that is actually a shakespeare line that you don't have to read into too hard. It means exactly what it says 'A rose by an other name would smell as sweet' so if a rose was not given the word 'rose' say it was given the name 'f**t' it would still smell like rose, the name does not make the thing smell any worse or better. The name does not make up a thing. In context of the play Juliet was contemplating about Romeo and how him being a Montague doesn't mean he's a bad person, because Montague is just his name. His name does not make up the person that he is.

Answer 3

He means exactly the very words he said. Whether you call a rose an orchid, it will still smell and feel like a rose. As such, it does not change character. Even when crushed, it still leaves its smell to the hand that holds them because roses are known to be such, showering their graces to everyone even to those who destroys them. It could come in many guises but it will eventually turn out to be what it really is, a rose.  

Answer 4

Shakespeare is not actually referring to just a rose, he is referring to Romeo as well. But as Juliet says this, she is explaining that what something is called does not affect what something IS. Having said this, a rose would still have that particular fragrance even if it was called a "red plant". She is saying that even though Romeo is of the name Montague, he is still that charming young man she loves. His name doesn't matter to her.

Answer 5

even if a rose is called a skunk, that doesn't mean it smells like a skunk, it still smells like a rose

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Answer 6

I concur with chickenpotpie's answer. LOL

You see a piece of tae on the ground and someone says, "Hey, that's a scrumptious piece of chocolate."  Would you pick it up and eat it?

Answer 7

He meant exactly what he said. In Czech, rose is ruze. same thing. If you call it feathers, it will still look and smell the same.

Answer 8

He meant no matter what you call it, its still a rose.

Like for example, I can change my name a dozen times, but I'm still the same person.

Answer 9

It means basically that any item no matter what its' name is changed to will still be the same.

A rose will still be a rose with all of its characteristics even if you call it a lemon.  

Answer 10

It doesn't matter what a rose is called it would smell sweet.

Answer 11

A sweet and kind person, no matter the hurled accusations and slanderous names, would still shine out in goodness because of the very nature of that same person.

Answer 12

A line from Romeo and Juliet.  Look at the family feud.  Juliet, if she wasn't a "Montague", would still be Juliet.  A rose, if it were called something else, would still be the same flower.  This metaphor shows that their families' differences seem foolish and uneccessary.