Loyalty And Irresponsibility In Shakespeare's Romeo And Juliet

Each day, people need to make important decisions and consider their outcomes. Often times, they need to choose what is best for them, and not what they want to do. In Shakespeare’s tragedy Romeo and Juliet, he explores how the traits a person possesses can impact their actions and their results. In the play, there is an ongoing feud between the Montagues and Capulets. When Romeo Montague and Juliet Capulet meet, they instantly fall in love only to discover they are from feuding families. With a love so strong, they risk getting married secretly, seeking some help from Juliet’s Nurse. The actions that the Nurse takes demonstrate both loyalty and irresponsibility, but ultimately lead to turmoil. In the Nurse, Shakespeare shows how the positive

When Romeo and Juliet first meet, Juliet orders Nurse to figure out who Romeo was. Nurse upsets Juliet when she says, “His name is Romeo, and a Montague;/The only son of your great enemy” (I.v.142-143). Once Juliet hears this, she realizes that her only love has sprung from her only hate. The Nurse however, doesn’t take this into consideration. She doesn’t see the trouble that this has started, and only cares about Juliet’s feelings. As a result, she delivers this message to Romeo which becomes the beginning of a dangerous relationship. Later in the play after Romeo is banned from Verona, Juliet desperately looks for advice from her Nurse. She is told that,“Romeo is banish'd; and all the world to nothing/That he dares ne'er come back to challenge you;/Or, if he do, it needs must be by stealth” (III.v.224-226). What the Nurse is saying to Juliet leads to danger because there is an imbalance between the irresponsibility and loyalty of Nurse’s advice. Nurse thinks she is being loyal to Juliet because she believes that marriage will cheer her up and Romeo will do her no good. She is making a practical decision here, since it is not the person, but the marriage that will make a difference. For Juliet, this is an act of betrayal and it ruins her relationship with the Nurse. This leads Juliet to Friar Lawrence’s plan, which becomes danger. The loyalty and irresponsibility in the Nurse led to more danger than happiness for Juliet. By not thinking twice about her actions, Nurse led Juliet in the wrong