Juliet and Romeo just met at a party and have fallen in love only to learn the other is a member

of the enemy family. Juliet is troubled and trying to understand her feelings for Romeo and what she should do about them.

A rose by any other word would smell as sweet So Romeo would he not Romeo called Retain That dear perfection (22).

This is the best passage in the play in terms of imagery emphasizing theme. The rose is an image of love just as Romeo is the man who Juliet loves. It shows she is willing to put her new relationship before loyalty to her family; and thus, demonstrates the transformative power of love that is the theme of the play.