This holy shrine, the gentle sin is this:
My lips, two blushing pilgrims, ready stand
To smooth that rough touch with a tender kiss."** (Romeo, 2.2.75-78)
This passage alludes to the Christian tradition of kissing holy objects as a sign of reverence. Romeo compares Juliet's lips to a holy shrine and his kiss to a pilgrim's kiss. This allusion suggests that Romeo sees Juliet as a sacred and pure being.
* **"But, soft, what light through yonder window breaks?
It is the east, and Juliet is the sun."** (Romeo, 2.2.2-3)
This passage alludes to the biblical story of the Annunciation, in which the angel Gabriel tells Mary that she will give birth to Jesus. In this passage, Romeo compares Juliet to the sun, suggesting that he sees her as a source of light and hope.
* **"O, speak again, bright angel, for thou art
As glorious to this night, being o'er my head
As is a winged messenger of heaven
Unto the white-upturned wondering eyes
Of mortals that fall back to gaze on him
When he bestrides the lazy-pacing clouds
And sails upon the bosom of the air."** (Romeo, 2.2.26-32)
This passage alludes to the biblical story of the angel Gabriel appearing to Mary. Romeo compares Juliet to a winged messenger of heaven, suggesting that he sees her as a divine being.
* "Arise fair sun and kill the envious moon
Who is already sick and pale with grief." (Romeo, 2.2.4)
Romeo describes Juliet as the sun causing the moon to turn pale and envious of her presence. This could be seen as comparing her to Selene, the Greek goddess of the moon, who was said to be in love with the sun god, Helios.