This is most clear as Romeo first sets eyes on Juliet. "O she doth teach the torches to burn bright Beauty too rich for use, for earth too dear For I ne"er saw such beauty till this night." Shakespeare's use of language, especially through Romeo's response to Juliet, is particularly effective, as it shows and demonstrates many different aspects of love and desire, as well as showing the true effect on Romeo himself. For example, as well as the aspect of sexual and physical attraction, there is also that known to be "love at first sight". Romeo immediately starts to ponder whether these emotions are, as it were, the "real thing". "Did my heart love till now?" This is even more effective though, as the reader has only just seen how enthralled Romeo was with Rosaline. Earlier, we heard him refer to Rosaline as being "rich in beauty" and also speak quite emotionally of his dying love for her. However, he seemed to be quite confused of the meaning of love. "Love is a smoke made with the fume of sighs, /Being purged, a fire sparkling in lovers" eyes, / Being vexed, a sea nourished with lovers" tears, /What is it else? A madness most discreet, /A choking gall, and a preserving sweet." In contrast, though, at the ball, Romeo's feelings and emotions are much different, demonstrating the true effect brought about by Juliet's presence.
As well as Romeo's response to the lovers" first meeting, there is also the important reaction of Juliet. Although, at first, her feelings and approach to their meeting appear almost parallel to those of Romeo, Juliet's own thoughts and flow of emotions differ slightly. Her language and actions show signs of an attitude called courtly love. She takes a very sensible approach to the encounter, and talks in such a way as she sounds, at times, quite religious and formal. "Good pilgrim, you do wrong your hand too much, /Which mannerly devotion shows in this; /For saints have hands that pilgrims" hands do touch, /And palm to palm is holy palmers" kiss.