In Shakespeare’s famous play “Romeo and Juliet,” the Nurse plays a crucial role as Juliet’s closest ally. She is not just a servant in the Capulet household but also a trusted friend and confidante to Juliet. The Nurse helps Juliet in her secret relationship with Romeo, making her an essential character in the story.
The Nurse first appears in Act I, Scene III, where she is involved in a conversation about Lady Capulet’s plan to marry Juliet to Paris. Paris, in this context, is not the city but a young man whom the Capulets consider a perfect match for Juliet. The Nurse initially seems to support this idea, showing no intention of going against the Capulets’ wishes.
However, as the story unfolds, the Nurse’s loyalty to Juliet becomes evident. When Juliet’s desires clash with her family’s plans, the Nurse chooses to support Juliet. She becomes the go-between for Romeo and Juliet, helping them communicate and plan their secret wedding.
Shakespeare uses the Nurse to provide a different perspective on the events in the play. For example, she describes Paris as a “man of wax,” meaning he is flawless or perfect. This shows that she initially believes Paris is the ideal match for Juliet. However, the irony is that Juliet is destined to fall in love with Romeo, not Paris.
When Romeo and Juliet meet at the Capulet ball and fall for each other, the Nurse becomes an important part of their secret romance. In Act II, Scene IV, she meets with Romeo to discuss the details of their secret wedding. The Nurse warns Romeo not to lead Juliet into a “fool’s paradise,” showing her protective nature towards Juliet.
The Nurse often expresses a stereotypical view of men, claiming they are deceitful and untrustworthy. This perspective contrasts with Juliet’s romantic view of Romeo and adds depth to the play by highlighting different attitudes towards love and trust.
Through the Nurse, Shakespeare provides comic relief and a more grounded view of the events unfolding in the play. Her character adds richness to the story, making “Romeo and Juliet” not just a tale of young love but also a complex narrative with diverse viewpoints.
The Nurse is a vital character in “Romeo and Juliet,” serving as Juliet’s confidante and helping to drive the plot forward. Her loyalty, humor, and unique perspective make her an unforgettable part of Shakespeare’s timeless tragedy.
Imagine you are the Nurse in “Romeo and Juliet.” Write a diary entry from her perspective, describing her feelings about Juliet’s secret relationship with Romeo. Consider her loyalty to Juliet and her views on the Capulet family’s plans. Share your entry with the class and discuss how the Nurse’s perspective adds depth to the play.
Participate in a class debate about whether the Nurse’s actions were in Juliet’s best interest. Divide into two groups: one supporting the Nurse’s loyalty to Juliet and the other arguing that she should have prioritized the Capulet family’s wishes. Use evidence from the play to support your arguments.
In small groups, choose a scene involving the Nurse and reenact it. Focus on her interactions with Juliet and Romeo. Pay attention to her tone and body language to convey her protective nature and humor. Perform your scene for the class and discuss how the Nurse’s character influences the events in the play.
Create a comic strip that illustrates a key scene involving the Nurse. Highlight her role and perspective in the scene. Use dialogue and illustrations to capture her humor and loyalty. Share your comic strip with the class and explain how it represents the Nurse’s character.
Rewrite a scene from “Romeo and Juliet” involving the Nurse in a modern-day setting. Consider how her character would behave and communicate in today’s world. Perform your adaptation for the class and discuss how the Nurse’s role and perspective might change in a contemporary context.
Here’s a sanitized version of the provided YouTube transcript:
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– [Jennifer] Okay.
– [Trevor] Yeah, that’s what I meant.
– [Jennifer] Motivate.
– [Trevor] The Nurse is Juliet’s only ally and becomes her unwilling accomplice. She helps Juliet in her quest to be with Romeo.
– [Jennifer] There’s one positive thing about my role: words. All 7,888 of them. Not that I counted! The Nurse first appears in Act I, Scene III. She’s discussing Lady Capulet’s goal to get Juliet married to Paris. Not the city. The man! A man, young lady.
– [Trevor] The Nurse seems to display no desire to betray the Capulets’ wishes. Later on, when their wishes collide with Juliet’s own, the Nurse demonstrates her loyalty to Juliet.
– [Jennifer] You see, the Nurse is Juliet’s trusted confidante. She becomes the intermediary between Romeo and Juliet. In other words, the essential part of the Romeo and Juliet story. And without that, it’s just two pieces of bread stacked on top of each other. And that’s not a great story. A man, young lady! Such a man as all the world! Why, he is a man of wax.
– [Trevor] A man of wax means a flawless man, i.e., perfect.
– [Jennifer] A man, young lady! Such a man as all the world! Why, he’s a man of wax!
– [Trevor] Shakespeare wants to show us that the Nurse believes Paris is the ideal match for Juliet. This scene ends with the ironic promise of Juliet saying she’ll attempt to love Paris.
– [Jennifer] But we know that later on, Juliet will meet Romeo. I mean, the clue is in the title of the play, people!
– [Trevor] When Romeo and Juliet become infatuated with each other at the ball, we know she’ll soon be singing Romeo’s praises to the Nurse. Shakespeare loves to tease the audience with anticipation. In Act II, Scene IV, the Nurse meets with Romeo to plan the secret wedding.
– [Jennifer] Pray you, sir, a word. As I told you, my young lady bade me inquire you out. What she bade me say I will keep to myself. But first let me tell you, if you should lead her into a fool’s paradise, as they say, well, it would be very inappropriate behavior, as they say.
– [Trevor] The Nurse provides the audience with a stereotypical view of men from a very stereotypical woman’s perspective.
– [Jennifer] There’s no trust, no faith, no honesty in men! All deceitful, all untrustworthy! They’re all dissemblers! Oh, where is my man? Give me my drink!
– [Trevor] Presenting the Nurse’s critical view of men allows Shakespeare to convey a contrast with Juliet’s and perhaps the audience’s romantic view of Romeo.
– [David] Right here, okay. So I’m just gonna—
– [Trevor] Yeah, all right, I’ll do it again. So, ah—
– [both together] Patience perforce with willful anger meeting makes my flesh tremble in their different greeting. Like you were saying before, I’m doing that. Just like striking. Yeah.
– [Trevor] That’s great, I love it. That’s brilliant!
– [David] Yeah, thanks.
– [Trevor] Can I just? Okay cool, I got it. I got the sword!
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This version removes any inappropriate or overly casual language while maintaining the essence of the conversation.
Nurse – A character in literature who often serves as a caretaker or confidante, especially in Shakespearean plays. – In “Romeo and Juliet,” the Nurse acts as a messenger between Juliet and Romeo, helping to facilitate their secret meetings.
Juliet – The female protagonist in Shakespeare’s play “Romeo and Juliet,” known for her beauty and tragic love story. – Juliet’s love for Romeo defies her family’s expectations and leads to a series of dramatic events.
Romeo – The male protagonist in Shakespeare’s play “Romeo and Juliet,” who falls deeply in love with Juliet. – Romeo’s impulsive nature and passionate love for Juliet drive the plot of the play.
Capulet – A family name in “Romeo and Juliet,” representing one of the two feuding families in the play. – The Capulet family hosts a grand party where Romeo and Juliet first meet.
Love – A profound and caring affection towards someone, often explored as a central theme in literature. – The love between Romeo and Juliet is intense and immediate, leading them to defy their families’ feud.
Communication – The exchange of information or expression of thoughts and feelings, often a key element in literature. – Miscommunication between Romeo and Juliet ultimately contributes to the tragic ending of the play.
Perspective – A particular attitude or way of viewing something, often influencing how characters interpret events in literature. – The differing perspectives of the Montagues and Capulets fuel the conflict in “Romeo and Juliet.”
Wedding – A ceremony where two people are united in marriage, often a significant event in literature. – Romeo and Juliet secretly plan their wedding, hoping it will bring peace between their families.
Loyalty – A strong feeling of support or allegiance, frequently tested in literary works. – Juliet’s loyalty to Romeo is unwavering, even when faced with family opposition.
Tragedy – A dramatic work that presents the downfall of its characters, often due to a fatal flaw or fate. – “Romeo and Juliet” is a classic tragedy that ends with the untimely deaths of the young lovers.
