But soft, what light through yonder window breaks?It is the east, and Juliet is the sun.Arise, fair sun, and kill the envious moon,Who is already sick and pale with griefThat thou, her maid, art far more fair than she. . . .The brightness of her cheek would shame those starsAs daylight doth a lamp; her eye in heavenWould through the airy region stream so brightThat birds would sing and think it were not night.
In this excerpt from Shakespeare's "Romeo and Juliet," Romeo marvels at Juliet's beauty, comparing her to the sun rising in the east. He expresses his admiration by suggesting that her presence eclipses the moon, which feels jealous of her radiance. This moment captures the intensity of Romeo's love and his perception of Juliet as a divine and illuminating force in his life.
Romeo continues to embellish Juliet’s beauty, stating that her cheeks outshine the stars, and her eyes shine so brightly that they would cause birds to sing, mistaking it for day. Through these comparisons, Shakespeare illustrates the theme of idealized love, with Juliet representing light and beauty in contrast to the darkness of the night, symbolizing the struggles they face.
