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"crystal scales"
Metaphor
Act 1,
Scene 2
Lines 91-102

An explanation of the “crystal scales” metaphor in Act 1, Scene 2 of myShakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet.

Romeo

When the devout religion of mine eye
Maintains such falsehood, then turn tears to fire;
And these who often drowned could never die,
Transparent heretics, be burnt for liars!
One fairer than my love!  The all-seeing sun
Ne'er saw her match since first the world begun.

Benvolio

Tut, you saw her fair, none else being by,
Herself poised with herself in either eye.
But in that crystal scales let there be weighed
Your lady's love against some other maid                     
That I will show you shining at this feast,
And she shall scant show well, that now seems best.

In this metaphor, Romeo's eyes are like the two sides of a balance scale. When Romeo only has eyes for Rosaline, it's as if her image is on both sides of the scales. But if one side contains another beautiful woman, then Rosaline might not compare so well.