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What is Romeo's attraction to Juliet?

In Act I, Scene 2, Benvolio suggests that Romeo should go to Capulet's party to check out the girls of Verona. Romeo is very sad about his recent rejection by Rosaline. When he finds out Rosaline will be at the party, Benvolio urges Romeo to attend. Benvolio claims he will show Romeo girls who are much prettier than Rosaline:



Go thither, and with unattainted eye
Compare her face with some that I shall show,
And I will make thee think thy swan a crow.



When Romeo gets to the party, in Act I, Scene 5, it is not long before he sees Juliet. For him, she lights up the room and instantly brings him out of the darkness and depression he was feeling over his unrequited love for Rosaline. It is truly love at first sight. He says,




O, she doth teach the torches to burn bright!
It seems she hangs upon the cheek of night
As a rich jewel in an Ethiop’s ear—
Beauty too rich for use, for Earth too dear.





Romeo also reiterates Benvolio's earlier statement and makes his cousin a prophet by saying, "So shows a snowy dove trooping with crows." Romeo uses the image of a dove rather than a swan, but the difference is slight. Each bird is white compared to the black crow. The lines reinforce Shakespeare's theme of dark and light, which is prevalent throughout the play. 


Unlike Rosaline, Juliet is open to Romeo's advances and, after he claims he is like a pilgrim worshipping at a religious shrine, he and Juliet kiss twice. Juliet is as attracted to Romeo as he is to her. Their attraction is so strong that not even the reality of their identities and the bitterness of the feud between their families can keep them apart. 


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