“But God forbid any man to be a fool to love, and be loved, as I have been. Else would he have prevented it.” 

This first quote is an early instance of foreshadowing, hinting at the depth of love John will soon experience. It also shows his idealization of said love and his belief that others could not possibly understand it and hints that, from a certain point of view, such depth of love is not recommended.

“Here was I, a yeoman’s boy, a yeoman every inch of me, even where I was naked; and there was she, a lady born, and thoroughly aware of it, and dressed by people of rank and taste, who took pride in her beauty and set it to advantage.” 

This passage highlights one of the primary themes in the book—classism. As a mere yeoman, John Ridd considers himself to be unworthy of Lorna’s love due to her high birth. This is the first of many instances in which John castigates himself for looking above his class.