The sepulchre, wherein we saw thee quietly inurn'd, hath op'd his ponderous and marble jaws

The sepulchre, wherein we saw thee quietly inurn'd, hath op'd his ponderous and marble jaws

In the context of William Shakespeare, the line "The sepulchre, wherein we saw thee quietly inurn'd, hath op'd his ponderous and marble jaws" can be found in Act 5, Scene 3 of his famous play "Romeo and Juliet". This line is spoken by Romeo upon discovering Juliet's seemingly lifeless body in the Capulet family tomb. The imagery of the sepulchre opening its jaws to reveal Juliet's body is a powerful and haunting image that captures the sense of death and resurrection that permeates the play.

Shakespeare was a master of using vivid and evocative language to convey complex emotions and themes, and this line is no exception. The use of the word "sepulchre" conjures up images of death and burial, while the description of the sepulchre's jaws as "ponderous and marble" adds to the sense of foreboding and finality. The idea that the tomb itself is coming to life to reveal Juliet's body adds a supernatural element to the scene, heightening the drama and tension of the moment.

The line also serves to underscore the theme of fate and destiny that runs throughout "Romeo and Juliet". The fact that Romeo and Juliet are ultimately doomed to die is a central part of the play's tragic narrative, and the image of the sepulchre opening to reveal Juliet's body is a stark reminder of the inevitability of their fate. Despite their best efforts to defy the stars and be together, Romeo and Juliet are ultimately unable to escape the tragic consequences of their love.

Overall, the line "The sepulchre, wherein we saw thee quietly inurn'd, hath op'd his ponderous and marble jaws" is a powerful and evocative image that captures the sense of death, fate, and tragedy that permeates Shakespeare's "Romeo and Juliet". It is a testament to Shakespeare's skill as a playwright and poet that he is able to convey such complex emotions and themes in just a few words.