Rhetorical Devices: Definition

While reading Romeo and Juliet, we encounter the use of many different rhetorical devices. One of the devices that I noticed while we were reading the play was the use of definition. "Definition" is when a section, line, or part of any reading gives greater depth on a topic or an aspect in order to give a full picture of its characteristics. In Act 1, Scene 1, Romeo is talking to Benvolio about how sad he is that he is in love with Rosaline and she wants to become a nun. The one thing Romeo cannot stop talking about is Rosaline's beauty. He is incredibly sad because he is in love with her yet she does not want to be with him. We hear him talking about how love hurts and in this scene he talks about his views on what love is. Romeo says: 

Love is a smoke raised with the fume of sighs;

Being purged, a fire sparkling in lovers' eyes;

Being vexed, a sea nourished with loving tears.

What is it else? A madness most discreet,

A choking gall, and a preserving sweet.

He describes the way he sees love and it is an example of definition because giving us a greater depth as to what he thinks love is and he is painting us a picture as to what to expect from love. I think this rhetorical device was used here because it gives us more insight as to what Romeo is going through here and we get a deeper understanding as to how he sees things and why he feels this way. It's purpose here was for us to see into Romeo's mind; the way he feels about love and Rosaline, and the way he really thinks. The importance of this device in this scene is to give us a better understanding of what love is in Romeo's mind. A big part of this scene is how much Romeo loves Rosaline and how sad it is making him and so it is good for people to see why he's sad and how it relates to the fact that he thinks he is in love.