Ruy Lopez

I'm struggling with the Ruy Lopez.

Does anyone know of quieter lines that snub whites agressive play?

Also, in the exchange variation are there any quieter lines here?

"Play the Sicilian!"

Just kidding, it was only a matter of time before someone jumped in with that answer, so I wanted to be the first.

Seriously, though, the Exchange Variation is one of the quieter lines -- White takes a lot of the pressure out of the position right from the fourth move.

If you're looking for something against the mainlines... hmm.  You'll probably get some suggestions for the Berlin Defense because it's in fashion these days, but I'm not 100% convinced it's much better than the main line Morphy defense.  You could look at the Steinitz or Modern Steinitz (non-Siesta), I suppose.  Ultimately, you're going to end up in a similar cramped, slightly-inferior position, though -- the whole appeal of playing White in the Lopez is the long-term pressure.

The Open Ruy (with ...Nxe4) is a good choice to avoid much theory and also make the game exciting. You want real wild look up the Riga Variation which is quite fun to play though you do need some memorization Black gets lots of play.

My favorite opening is the Ruy Lopez EV. I would say the Exchange Variation is as quiet as it can be. And when trying to "snub" whites aggressive play as black, I've found this defense to be fine. (And if you really don't like defending the Ruy Lopez then just play the Scandinavian or Sicilian such as Spiffe suggested)

Thank you for the comments. I've been looking at the Main line Morphy Defense in more detail and it suits my style of play very well. I want to try and avoid the sicillian defense becasue I'm not a particularly strong player and I think the time I would have to invest to do he sicillian justice, in theoretical terms, would be better invested in other pursuits such as raising my tactical ability.

I wanted to get together a solid, minimally theoretical basic repetoire. I open with e4 as white with the kings indian or vienna game and defend e4 with e5. I'm covered wih everything EXCEPT the Lopez.

I defend d4 with the nimzo-indian and if white pulls something other than the traditional d4, c4, nc3 I fall back on the Queens indian.

I don't know if this helps but it might be a better indication of my playing style.