Nurse

• What is the Nurse's main role in the play?

  Secondary mother figure for Juliet
• How does the Nurse's relationship with Juliet compare to Lady Capulet's?

  The Nurse has a closer relationship with Juliet
• Why does the Nurse have a strong affection for Juliet?

  She had a daughter named Susan who died
• In what way is Juliet a surrogate daughter for the Nurse?

  Juliet replaces the Nurse's deceased daughter
• How does the Nurse demonstrate her affection for Juliet?

  By wishing for Juliet's happiness and supporting her
• What does the Nurse say to Juliet before the Capulet ball?

  “Go girl; seek happy nights to happy days”
• What role does the Nurse play in Juliet's courtship with Romeo?

  She acts as a go-between for them
• How does the Nurse's character contribute to the play's humor?

  She is extremely talkative and makes bawdy remarks
• What is a common verbal tic of the Nurse?

  She constantly makes interjections and interrupts herself
• How does the Nurse misunderstand Lady Capulet's statement about Juliet's age?

  She takes it literally instead of rhetorically
• What does the Nurse imply when she swears by her maidenhood?

  She lost her virginity at thirteen
• What does the Nurse say in response to Lady Capulet's comment about Juliet's age?

  “Faith, I can tell her age unto an hour”
• What do the Nurse's misunderstandings reveal about her character?

  They showcase her lower-class upbringing
• What happens to the Nurse when she believes Juliet is dead?

  She suffers greatly
• How does the Nurse's character contrast with Lady Capulet's demeanor?

  The Nurse is supportive and humorous, Lady Capulet is serious
• Come Lammas Eve at night shall she be fourteen.Susan and she, God rest all Christian soulsWere of an age. (I.iii.)
• Come Lammas Eve at night shall she be fourteen.Susan and she, God rest all Christian soulsWere of an age. (I.iii.)

  Here the Nurse is counting down the days to Juliet’s birthday. The Nurse cares for Juliet like a parent. Juliet reminds her of her own daughter, Susan, who died young. Juliet therefore represents a surrogate daughter for the Nurse, and her link to the dead Susan foreshadows Juliet’s own premature death.
• “Yea,” quoth he, “dost thou fall upon thy face?Thou wilt fall backward when thou hast more wit,Wilt thou not, Jule?” (I.iii.)
• “Yea,” quoth he, “dost thou fall upon thy face?Thou wilt fall backward when thou hast more wit,Wilt thou not, Jule?” (I.iii.)

  The Nurse fondly recounts a joke her husband once made about Juliet. The joke suggests that sex and harm are closely related, which in Juliet’s case will turn out to be true, since her first sexual relationship will result in complications leading to her death.
• I think it best you married with the County.O, he’s a lovely gentleman!Romeo’s a dishclout to him. (III.v.)
• I think it best you married with the County.O, he’s a lovely gentleman!Romeo’s a dishclout to him. (III.v.)

  One of the Nurse’s roles in Romeo and Juliet is to highlight the development of Juliet’s character. When Romeo is banished, the Nurse suggests that Juliet would be just as happy with Paris, because he’s better looking. Juliet disagrees, which shows that her passion for Romeo is no longer merely physical. Juliet’s disagreement also signals a break with her former trusted confidante. Indeed, Juliet does not tell the Nurse about her plan to fake her death.