What is the meaning of this Shakespeare quote: "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. "?

This is when Romeo first sees Juliet at the Capulet party. He instantly falls in love with her. He says that she is so beautiful and radiant that she could teach the torches (fire) how to be even more radiant and bright. He goes on personify Juliet as a jewel on the night's cheek. He compares this to a Jewl in the ear of an African queen.

Juliet has the ability to drive men wild with desire, this is one meaning of "teaching the torches to burn brighter". It could also mean that Juliets beauty is so that it could alter the laws of physics as to make fire transcend its current ability to burn. Juliet stands out in the night amongst the faces and scene Romeo has grown so accustomed to, a contrast which has a brilliance similar to the way a gem would dangle and hang with simplicity in the ear of an African queen.