Juliet's Nurse is first introduced to the play in Act I Scene 3. It is in this scene that we can gather her background information. She is a trusted family servant to Lord Capulet in Verona and she maintains an active voice in their family affairs. Lady Capulet involves the Nurse in her discussion with Juliet about her possible marriage to Paris. The Nurse has been with the Capulet family for at least fourteen years, the entirety of Juliet's life. The Nurse had a daughter, Susan, born on the same exact day as Juliet. Susan died, and since her death the Nurse has taken care of Juliet and become more like a mother to her than Lady Capulet. The Nurse was actually Juliet's wet nurse, and it is proven that a bond between a baby and one who feeds it is very strong. The Nurse uses many terms of endearment; when calling on Juliet in act 1, scene 3, she says: "What, lamb? What ladybird?" When Juliet speaks to her mother she speaks very formally, calling her "madam." The conversation between Juliet and her mother is stilted and proper, whereas the Nurse is very open with her opinions, advice, and feelings with Juliet. When talking about Paris, she talks like a schoolgirl gossiping about Paris' looks: "A man, young lady! Lad
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The Nurse's desire is simply to keep fourteen-year-old Juliet content. At the Capulet's party she tells both Romeo and Juliet each the identity and forbidden namesake of the other. The relatively minor characters of the play are often ignored: Romeo's best friend and peacemaker Benvolio, Juliet's Nurse who serves as an envoy for the lovers, and Friar Laurence, the priest who joins Romeo and Juliet in marriage. When Romeo has killed Tybalt and Juliet is anxious to speak with him, the Nurse is quick to comfort her: "I'll find Romeo / To comfort you: I wot well where he is.
From the beginning of the play, Benvolio is a peacemaker of paramount importance. He realizes that the fight is foolish and takes steps to prevent it.
Relationships
Juliet and the Nurse share a very close bond, one that surpasses one of a girl and her servant. Fate has proven to be all-powerful, and it manipulates people and their actions with fierce audacity in order to execute Destiny. The Nurse holds Juliet's happiness so high that she betrays her employer and arranges Juliet's marriage and last night with Romeo.
Even though she is a decent woman with only the best intentions, Juliet's Nurse misinterprets the opportunities to prevent the famous tragedy. Certainly by this point the Friar has truly demonstrated his willingness to sacrifice and risk his own well being for the betterment of the lovers. After Romeo is banished the relationship between the Nurse and Juliet changes. Juliet decides to seek the help of Friar Laurence, thereafter she no longer involves the Nurse in her secret plans.
Approximate Word count =
2103
Approximate Pages =
8 (250 words per page double spaced)
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