Love is commonly used in dramatic plays, with much descriptive narration. In Shakespeare's play, The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet, love is described with passionate emotion. That is what makes this play such a well-known and respected play. Shakespeare uses metaphors, similes and oxymorons in order to describe love with great passion.
Metaphors play an important aspect in Shakespeare's description of love. Metaphors can help describe how one feels about someone or something. They also can provide the reader with a mental visual of how a given character may feel. A metaphor may not always assist the reader in understanding the literal translation of the text; although it may assist the reader in better understanding the overall message through more expansion of the given character's emotions. Romeo fervently expresses his love for Juliet through the use of metaphors. "It is the east and Juliet is the sun" (2.2.). Here, Romeo uses this metaphor to characterize his love for Juliet. He is trying to say in direct comparison that she is so incredibly beautiful that she is as bright and shining as the sun. Metaphors are not the only way to describe love although they are a very effective way of doing so.
Similes are another effective way to describe love. They are not a direct comparison however they are a comparison between two objects. Shakespeare uses this method of description to portray Romeo's feelings in diverse ways. Similes not only describe love; they also help develop a better understanding of the meaning of love. "Love goes toward love as schoolboys from their books" (2.2.). Romeo uses a comparison between these two things to describe his love for Juliet. In this quote, Romeo compares his love for Juliet to the necessity of books to a schoolboy. Similes are one of many effective ways to describing love in a colorful fashion.
Oxymorons are also a very effective way to describe love.