Shakespeare's Presentation of the Nurse in Romeo and Juliet

Shakespeare's Presentation of the Nurse in Romeo and Juliet

Shakespeare's presentation of the Nurse of the Nurse is a key to the

audience's understanding of the play because she makes major links

between the characters. She is a memorable character as she is

likeable although the audience's view of her frequently changes.

Shakespeare uses her to bring humour into the play to make the play

appealing to all of the audience. She is also used as a messenger in

the play, another reason why she is such an important character. She

is very disrespectful towards Lady Capulet and argues with Lord

Capulet. In contrast, however, she is very affectionate towards Juliet

and acts as a second mother. Again this demonstrates Shakespeare's

constant change in his presentation of the Nurse's behaviour. It is

this, which holds the audiences attention.

Act 1 Scene 3 is our first encounter with the Nurse and is the

audience's first chance to form opinions about her. We see her as a

loud and bawdy character, which reminds us of Samson and Gregory in

the previous scene. Shakespeare presents her in direct contrast to

Romeo in the first scene who is lovesick and quiet. Again, this

technique grabs the audience's attention because of the change in

mood. The Nurse is a very garrulous character and is often tactless

and disrespectful towards Lady Capulet in this scene. When Lady

Capulet is talking to Juliet about marriage the Nurse repeats with

relish her husbands joke when the baby Juliet falls down

'A was a merry man - took up the child.

'Yea,' quoth he, 'dost thou fall upon thy face?

Thou wilt fall backwards when thou hast more wit.

Wilt thou n...

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...do what her father says. This makes the

audience feel betrayed as Juliet feels the same.

In the three scenes Shakespeare demonstrates fully his literal genius

by using the Nurse in several ways. He creates a vital link between

the audience and Juliet in the form of the Nurse because she puts the

audience in Juliet's position, frequently forcing the audience to feel

Juliet's emotions therefore further engaging the audience into the

play. The Nurse has a huge presence on the stage because of her loud

and garrulous ways, and the audience's feelings towards the Nurse also

changes repeatedly, making the audience further aware of this

presence. Also by bringing humour the nurse gives the play more appeal

to the audience. Without the Nurse many of the things that make the

play so dramatic and engaging would not be possible.