The Nurse in William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet

The Nurse in William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet

Whilst the Nurse is not one of the main characters in the play, she is

amusing and a vital character, larger than life, who plays an

important role in furthering the plot. Her crude humour provides light

relief in the midst of the tragedy. She keeps the scenes flowing and

acts as a go between. Although the Nurse is not related to anyone she

is a senior capulate servant and is the only one who Juliet can

confide in.

Juliet can trust the Nurse as the Nurse virtually brought her up and

is her inspiration in life. Even though the Nurse has a good

relationship with Juliet, she still has to know her place when her

Mistress (Juliet's Mother) enters the room. The Nurse feels uneasy

when Juliet's mother enters and almost holds back and hides her

bubbly, crude personality until she can control herself no longer and

finally erupts.

The Nurse is first introduced into the play in Act 1 scene 3, we

instantly know that the Nurse in not short for words. Shakespeare

cleverly introduces the Nurses role by telling us how the Nurse

brought up Juliet: "I remember it well, Tis since the earthquake now

aleven years" She is proud to say she has brought up Juliet and

protects her as if she was her own. I think this is because she lost

her child at birth and is trying to make up for it.

When Juliet asks then name of Romeo she finds out very willingly and

reports back that he is named Romeo and is a Montague (the only son of

her enemy). The Nurse knows straight away what he means to her

although they have only just met, but wants nothing more than to see

Juliet happy.

During Act 2 scene 1 and 2 Romeo and Juliet are together and the Nurse

knows this as Juliet confides in her as they have a good relationship.

Because of this bond, Juliet can trust the Nurse with almost anything.

Act 2 scene 4 is a slight turn of events for the audience as we see