In William Shakespeare's "Romeo and Juliet," the expressions of love between Romeo and Juliet are filled with rich imagery and metaphors, particularly in their first meeting at the Capulet party and their balcony scene.
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The Balcony Scene (Act 2, Scene 2):
- One of the most famous lines from Romeo is when he compares Juliet to the sun: “But, soft! What light through yonder window breaks? It is the east, and Juliet is the sun.” Here, he uses the metaphor of Juliet as the sun to convey her brightness and the joy she brings to his life, suggesting that she is the center of his universe.
- Juliet responds with a metaphor of her own, saying, “O, for a falconer’s voice / To lure this tassel-gentle back again!” This expresses her longing for Romeo, comparing herself to a bird being called back to him, indicating both desire and the feeling of being drawn towards him.
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The Meeting at the Capulet Party (Act 1, Scene 5):
- When they first speak, Romeo uses the metaphor of a pilgrimage when he says, “If I profane with my unworthiest hand / This holy shrine, the gentle fine is this.” He compares Juliet’s hand to a holy object and his kiss to a form of worship, suggesting that their love is sacred and transformative.
- Juliet reciprocates with a metaphor of her own by saying, “You kiss by the book.” This not only acknowledges the beauty of Romeo's kiss but also suggests that it has a certain perfection or adherence to romantic ideals, making their connection feel timeless and poetic.
These metaphors highlight their intense and idealized love, using elements of nature, religion, and art to express their deep emotions and the almost transcendent quality of their attraction to one another.