Gallop apace, you fiery footed steeds, toward Phoebus' lodging

Gallop apace, you fiery footed steeds, toward Phoebus' lodging

"Gallop apace, you fiery footed steeds, toward Phoebus' lodging" is a line from William Shakespeare's play "Romeo and Juliet". This line is spoken by Juliet in Act 3, Scene 2 as she eagerly awaits the night to fall so that she can be with her beloved Romeo. In this line, Juliet is calling upon the horses that pull the chariot of the sun god, Phoebus (another name for Apollo), to hurry up and bring on the night so that she can be reunited with Romeo.

The imagery of the "fiery footed steeds" galloping towards Phoebus' lodging is a powerful and evocative one. It conveys a sense of urgency and impatience on Juliet's part, as she longs for the night to come quickly so that she can be with Romeo. The use of the word "fiery" to describe the horses emphasizes their speed and energy, as well as the intensity of Juliet's emotions.

This line also serves to highlight the theme of time in the play. Time plays a crucial role in the tragic love story of Romeo and Juliet, as their love is thwarted by the constraints of time and fate. Juliet's plea for the night to come quickly reflects her desire to escape the constraints of time and be with Romeo, even if only for a brief moment.

Furthermore, the imagery of the horses galloping towards Phoebus' lodging can be seen as a metaphor for the passage of time and the inevitability of fate. Just as the horses pull the chariot of the sun across the sky, time marches on inexorably, leading towards the tragic conclusion of the play.

Overall, Juliet's line "Gallop apace, you fiery footed steeds, toward Phoebus' lodging" is a powerful and evocative expression of her longing for love and her desire to escape the constraints of time. It serves to highlight the themes of time and fate in the play, as well as the intensity of Juliet's emotions for Romeo.