What's in a Name? Contrast Commentary of Shakespeare and Morrison


“What is in a name? That which we call a rose
By any other name would smell as sweet.”
Romeo and Juliet, William Shakespeare

Even though their names are “star crossed,” Juliet expresses that the name Montague means nothing in their love. By this, Juliet means to say Romeo with any other name would still be Romeo. In the Shakespeare play, this disregard of the name is what confirms the unfortunate fate between the Capulets and the Montagues. Because the name represents the feud and power of the two families, this quote by Juliet proves to be a fallacy. A rose called “dead fish” wouldn’t be as nice to give to your date.

“Agreed to take and pass on to all their issue this heavy name scrawled in perfect thoughtlessness by a drunken Yankee in the Union Army.”
Song of Solomon, Toni Morrison


On the other hand, the significance of Macon Dead’s name is the direct opposite. The ironic and careless name given to a former slave by a drunken white man becomes the symbol of a new beginning for the Dead family. The Deads carry the tradition of naming their first-born son “Macon Dead.” To Macon Dead II (Milkman’s father), it is his pride that the Deads have become a wealthy, well known black family in the town. This pride and the meaningfulness of the name to him is the reason he calls everything by its proper name in the town. For example, he thinks that “Milkman” is depreciating the family name of “Macon Dead” and always calls his son Macon.

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