Here's a breakdown of its usage and meaning:
* Act 4, Scene 5: When Juliet wakes to find Romeo dead, she takes rosemary and uses it to anoint his body. Rosemary, as a symbol of remembrance, emphasizes the enduring nature of her love for Romeo even in death.
* Act 2, Scene 4: The Nurse, commenting on Romeo, says "Rosemary, that's for remembrance; pray, you, love, remember." This explicitly connects rosemary with the act of remembering, highlighting Romeo's intention to stay true to his feelings for Juliet.
* Act 2, Scene 6: Juliet asks the Nurse if she can "get me some rosemary" to use in her prayer. This suggests that Juliet also sees rosemary as a symbol of remembrance, implying that her love and devotion for Romeo will continue.
Beyond the play:
* Rosemary was often used in funeral rituals and considered to have restorative properties, further enhancing its association with remembering the deceased.
* It was believed to improve memory and was used in wedding ceremonies, symbolizing fidelity and everlasting love.
In conclusion, rosemary in *Romeo and Juliet* serves as a powerful motif, underlining the play's themes of love, death, and the enduring power of memory. It emphasizes the depth of Romeo and Juliet's devotion and underscores the tragedy of their untimely deaths.