Question

What does sojourn mean as it is used in the following lines from Act III, Scene 3, in The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet? Friar: Go hence; good night! and here stands all your state: Either be gone before the watch be set, Or by the break of day disguis’d from hence. Sojurn in Mantua; I’ll find out your man, And he shall signify from time to time Every good hap to you that chances here: Give me thy hand; ‘tis late; farewell; good night.

Answer 1

Sojurn - stay or wait

In the lines Friar Lawrence is telling Romeo to hurry up and go see Juliet. Then before morning he needs to get gone. Prince Escalus has banished him from Verona because he killed Tybalt. In his decree, the prince said that if Romeo is found within Verona's walls he will be executed. Friar Lawrence wants Romeo to have his wedding night with his new wife, but it's important that Romeo go stay and wait in Mantua until things have calmed down and they can devise a plan to get his banishment lifted.

Answer 2

In this context it means stay