It is ironic because Romeo is commenting on Juliet's beauty by comparing her to a dove surrounded by crows, suggesting that she stands out among the other guests. However, Juliet is actually surrounded by her family and friends, who are the Capulets, making them metaphorical "crows" as they are enemies of Romeo's family, the Montagues.
In the metaphor where Romeo compares Juliet to a dove among crows, he emphasizes her purity and beauty in contrast to those around her. This imagery highlights how Juliet stands out as an idealized figure amidst the darkness and imperfections of the other women. It underscores Romeo's infatuation and the deep attraction he feels for her, portraying her as a rare gem in a mundane world.
In Shakespeare's "Romeo and Juliet," the phrase "a snowy dove trooping with crows" refers to Juliet's beauty and purity in contrast to the other women at the Capulet gathering. The "snowy dove" symbolizes her innocence and grace, while the "crows" represent the less desirable or less virtuous women surrounding her. This imagery highlights Juliet's uniqueness and elevates her above the others, emphasizing her exceptional qualities in a world often filled with darkness and mediocrity.
When he first sees her he compares her to burning torches, a jewel and a dove as in the extract: O, she doth teach the torches to burn bright! It seems she hangs upon the cheek of night Like a rich jewel in an Ethiop'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. Later, when hiding in her garden, he compares her to the sun as in: But soft! what light through yonder window breaks? It is the east, and Juliet is the sun!-
Romeo uses similes and metaphors to describe Juliet's beauty. For example, he compares her to a rich jewel in an Ethiop's ear and to a snowy dove trooping with crows. These comparisons highlight Juliet's unique beauty and significance to Romeo.
In Act 1 Scene 5 (when they meet briefly for the first time) Romeo describes Juliet as teaching the torches to burn bright, 'as a rich jewel', "Beauty too rich for use', as a 'snowy dove trooping with crows' and a 'Holy shrine'. The exact words he uses are "O, she doth teach the torches to burn bright! It seems she hangs upon the cheek of night like a rich jewel in an Ethiop'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."
In Act 1 Scene 5 (when they meet briefly for the first time) Romeo describes Juliet as teaching the torches to burn bright, 'as a rich jewel', "Beauty too rich for use', as a 'snowy dove trooping with crows' and a 'Holy shrine'. The exact words he uses are "O, she doth teach the torches to burn bright! It seems she hangs upon the cheek of night like a rich jewel in an Ethiop'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."
A congress of crows, or a murder of crows.
A number of crows is called a "murder" of crows.
A group of crows is called a murder.
Dog
crows migrate in winter and summer
Hover, Muster, Parcel, Murder A Hover of Crows A Murder of Crows A Muster of Crows