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All Site ContentRomeo and JulietAct 1Scene 5
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"Beauty too rich for use, for earth too dear"
Wordplay
Act 1,
Scene 5
Lines 40-48

An explanation of the wordplay in Romeo’s description of Juliet in Act 1, Scene 5 of myShakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet.

Romeo

What lady is that, which doth enrich the hand               
Of yonder knight?

Servant

I know not, sir.

Romeo

O, she doth teach the torches to burn bright!
It seems she hangs upon the cheek of night
As a rich jewel in an Ethiope's ear — 
Beauty too rich for use, for earth too dear.
So shows a snowy dove trooping with crows,
As yonder lady o'er her fellows shows.

Romeo engages in a bit of wordplay in his description of Juliet to the passing servant. Juliet's beauty is too cherished either to be used up during this lifetime, or buried with her upon her death.