Nurse

• 'Come Lammas eve at night shall she be 14. Susan and she. God rest all Christian souls were of an age' - Nurse 


  The nurse recalls her child, who died as a child, was the same age as Juliet. Her grief foreshadows the capulets grief towards the end of the play after Juliets death. The nurse talks of Juliets birthday, which creates dramatic irony as the audience know she will not reach it. The adults in Juliets life are counting down to her birthday whilst the audience are counting to her death
• 'I think it best you married with the county'

  -Act of betrayal from the nurse, she has completely changed her mind on Romeo and Juliets relationship and now believes Juliet should marry Paris.

  -Emphasises Juliet as a heroine - she refuses the advice and won't commit bigamy

  -Increases sympathy for Juliet as this is the first time she has no support
• 'For Juliet's sake, for her sake, rise and stand'


  -The nurse talks Romeo out of killing himself in Act 3 when he is very upset. She reminds him to think of Juliet and the impact his death would have on her.

  -However, this is futile as both characters commit suicide in Act 5. But the nurse does help them spend their wedding night together before their untimely deaths.
• 'Hie you hence to Friar Laurence's cell. There stays a husband to make you a wife.'

  -The nurse knows Juliet's parents would not approve of her relationship, and so she keeps the wedding secret to keep Juliet happy.

  -Although the nurse does not understand Juliet's feelings of romantic love she supports her desire to get married.