What does scourge mean in Romeo and Juliet?

The word "scourge" is used several times in Romeo and Juliet, usually in the sense of a punishment or affliction that causes great suffering. For example, in Act I, Scene 5, Romeo refers to love as a "scourge" that causes him pain and suffering. Likewise, in Act II, Scene 1, Juliet describes her separation from Romeo as a "scourge" that is "worse than death."