The phrase the bawdy hand of the dial” is a peculiar and vivid line from William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, specifically from Act 1, Scene 4. It appears in the playful and teasing dialogue of Mercutio, one of Shakespeare’s most dynamic and witty characters. This phrase, though short, has been the subject of literary analysis, classroom interpretation, and scholarly debate for centuries. Rich in puns, double meanings, and symbolic value, the line exemplifies Shakespeare’s mastery of wordplay. Exploring this expression provides insight not only into Mercutio’s character but also into Elizabethan humor, language, and social commentary.
Understanding the Context
The quote the bawdy hand of the dial is now upon the prick of noon is uttered by Mercutio as he jokes with Romeo and Benvolio. In this scene, they are on their way to the Capulet feast where Romeo is destined to meet Juliet. Mercutio’s statement is packed with sexual innuendo, which was typical of his dialogue. The line is part of a broader tradition of using clock imagery and time references to make jokes about sexuality, a technique well-known and appreciated by Elizabethan audiences.
The Language of Time and Touch
To dissect the phrase, it’s important to understand the literal and figurative meanings of its components
- Bawdy hand– The word bawdy refers to lewd or indecent behavior, especially of a sexual nature. A hand here refers to the hand of a clock, but also plays on the image of a human hand capable of inappropriate or flirtatious touches.
- Dial– This is the face of a clock or sundial, and it acts as the canvas for the metaphor.
- Prick of noon– This is a pun. Literally, it refers to the exact point of twelve o’clock (the prick being the sharp marking on a sundial). Figuratively, it hints at male genitalia and sexual arousal.
Put together, Mercutio is joking that the lewd hand of the clock is touching the prick of noon, blending the notions of time and sexuality in a clever and risqué pun.
Mercutio’s Role and Wordplay
Mercutio, as a character, thrives on clever language. His witty and often outrageous comments provide comic relief in the early parts of Romeo and Juliet, offsetting the play’s tragic trajectory. The bawdy hand of the dial reflects his playful, teasing attitude, especially toward topics of romance and desire. Mercutio uses crude humor as a way to mock Romeo’s idealistic notions of love and to expose the physical, earthy side of romance that the young lovers overlook.
Sexual Imagery in Elizabethan Drama
Elizabethan drama often employed sexual imagery to entertain and to reveal deeper truths about characters. In this context, the phrase isn’t just vulgar for vulgarity’s sake it reveals a cynical view of romantic love, highlighting the gap between physical desire and emotional idealism. Shakespeare’s audiences, familiar with the layered meanings in his language, would recognize the humor and subtle commentary in Mercutio’s jest.
Symbolism of Time and Fate
Beyond its sexual humor, the phrase also hints at the theme of time, which runs throughout Romeo and Juliet. Time governs the fate of the characters, and the inevitability of its passage often aligns with tragedy. The notion of the clock’s hand reaching noon can also be interpreted as a metaphor for climax or crisis a moment when events reach their peak. In the context of the play, this foreshadows the dramatic turn of events that begin once Romeo and Juliet meet.
Noon as a Turning Point
Noon, symbolically, represents a moment of high visibility when everything is fully lit and exposed. In many cultures, midday signifies clarity and the peak of consciousness. In Romeo and Juliet, this moment can be seen as a shift in narrative tone. After the light-hearted banter and sexual innuendo of Mercutio, the story veers into passionate romance and, soon after, irreversible conflict. Thus, the prick of noon could symbolize a fleeting moment of playful light before descending into darkness.
Modern Interpretations
Modern readers and audiences might find Mercutio’s humor either refreshing or offensive, depending on cultural norms. However, analyzing such phrases offers an educational opportunity to understand how language has evolved and how different generations approach themes of love, desire, and time. Teachers often use this phrase as a teaching moment to explore literary devices like puns, double entendre, and metaphor.
Shakespeare’s Use of Bawdy Humor
Shakespeare was not above appealing to the commoners in his audience with lewd jokes and low humor. While his works are now viewed through a high-cultural lens, his plays were, in their time, broad entertainments meant for people of all backgrounds. The mix of high poetic language and coarse comedy gave his works mass appeal. The bawdy hand of the dial is just one example of this balance between the sacred and the profane.
Relevance to the Play’s Themes
This phrase, though it may seem like a throwaway joke, connects deeply to the themes of Romeo and Juliet. These include
- Time and Timing– The lovers are constantly racing against time. Missed messages and wrong timing lead to their tragic end.
- Sexuality versus Idealism– While Romeo and Juliet speak of love in celestial, poetic terms, characters like Mercutio remind the audience of its physical foundation.
- Fate and Fortune– The motion of the clock hints at the inevitability of fate, something that drives the play forward.
A Line Rich with Layers
In just a few words, the bawdy hand of the dial is now upon the prick of noon encapsulates Shakespeare’s genius for packing multiple meanings into a single line. It’s playful and shocking, rich in pun and metaphor, and tightly woven into the character and themes of the play. For those studying Shakespeare, especially Romeo and Juliet, this phrase serves as a microcosm of the larger narrative it balances humor with seriousness, light with shadow, love with lust, and the fleeting joy of life with the certainty of time. Through Mercutio’s joke, we are reminded that beneath the poetry lies the clock’s ever-ticking hand, and time waits for no one.