Final answer:
Romeo and Juliet use religious metaphors to elevate their love, comparing it to sacred practices like worship and prayer, thus depicting their love as spiritual and divine.
Step-by-step explanation:
You are correct in noting that in Romeo and Juliet, there are several instances where romantic love is expressed through religious imagery. Romeo likens Juliet to a saint's holy shrine, suggesting that he venerates her in a way that is akin to religious worship. The act of kissing is metaphorically compared to praying, which elevates their love to a spiritual or divine level. This metaphor highlights the transcendence and purity of their love amidst the feud between their families.
Shakespeare explores the theme of love as sacred and transcendent in this play. The lovers see each other in terms that elevate them above the ordinary, which is a common trope in romantic literature. For example, when Romeo says, "Call me but love, and I'll be new baptized," he implies that Juliet's love has the power to purify and renew him, much like a religious sacrament.
This use of religious metaphors in describing love also suggests that for Romeo and Juliet, their love is not just a physical or emotional attraction but something sublime and otherworldly, giving a sense of their love's depth and seriousness.