Question

select the correct answer.

read the excerpt from act 1, scene 5 of the play.

romeo: sin from my lips? o trespass sweetly urgd!

give me my sin again.

(75) juliet: you kiss by the book.

what is the meaning of \by the book\ as it is used in the excerpt?

according to the rules

without permission

as if in a fairy tale

in a strange way

Explanation:

Analyze the context of the phrase

In Act 1, Scene 5 of Romeo and Juliet, Romeo and Juliet have just met and shared a highly structured, sonnet-like dialogue filled with religious metaphors about pilgrims, saints, and prayer. After they kiss, Juliet remarks, "You kiss by the book."

Determine the meaning of the idiom

The phrase "by the book" is a common idiom meaning to do something strictly according to established rules, etiquette, or formal procedures. In this context, Juliet is playfully noting that Romeo kisses methodically or according to the polite conventions of courtly love.

Evaluate the given options

• "according to the rules": This matches the definition of "by the book" (following established rules or conventions).
• "without permission": Incorrect, as the dialogue shows mutual consent through their poetic banter.
• "as if in a fairy tale": Incorrect, as it does not align with the idiomatic meaning of the phrase.
• "in a strange way": Incorrect, as his kissing follows expected courtly conventions rather than being unusual.

Answer:

• (A) according to the rules (Correct answer)
• (B) without permission
• (C) as if in a fairy tale
• (D) in a strange way