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Shakespeare is often praised for his masterly use of figurative language, or language that communicates ideas beyond the ordinary, literal meaning of the words. Find two examples of particularly striking figurative language in Act Two of Romeo and Juliet and discuss what makes each example effective.

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Act Two of Romeo and Juliet is particularly rich in figurative language, and here are two examples of particularly striking uses of figurative language:

1. "Arise, fair sun, and kill the envious moon" (Act Two, Scene Two)

This line is spoken by Romeo as he stands beneath the balcony of Juliet's window. In this metaphor, Romeo compares Juliet to the sun, which is associated with warmth, light, and life. By contrast, the moon is associated with coldness and darkness, and Romeo calls it "envious" because it tries to rival the brightness and beauty of the sun. The metaphor is effective because it conveys the intensity of Romeo's emotions for Juliet, as well as his belief that she is the most radiant and glorious thing in his world.

2. "Love goes toward love as schoolboys from their books, But love from love, toward school with heavy looks" (Act Two, Scene Two)

This metaphor is spoken by Romeo to Juliet as he tries to persuade her to love him. In this comparison, love is like a schoolboy who eagerly runs towards his books (his beloved) but feels reluctant to leave his books (his beloved) to return to school. The metaphor is effective because it captures the way that love can be both exciting and painful, pulling people in opposite directions and causing conflicting emotions. It also highlights the way that love can be all-consuming, making people feel as if they cannot focus on anything else.

Both of these examples demonstrate Shakespeare's masterful use of figurative language to convey complex ideas and emotions in a way that is both poetic and memorable.
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