Nurse

Definition

In 'Romeo and Juliet', the Nurse is a key character who serves as Juliet's confidante and caregiver. She provides comic relief and maternal support throughout the play, embodying the theme of love and loyalty while contrasting with other figures like Lady Capulet. Her character highlights the complexities of relationships, particularly in the context of parental figures and their influence on youth.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Nurse has a deep emotional bond with Juliet, having cared for her since infancy, which allows her to offer both wisdom and comic commentary.
2. She often provides a more practical perspective on love compared to the romantic ideals expressed by Romeo and Juliet.
3. The Nurse's advice to Juliet about marriage highlights her role as a bridge between youth and adulthood, showcasing the generational differences in understanding love.
4. Her ultimate betrayal of Juliet by encouraging her to marry Paris instead of supporting her relationship with Romeo demonstrates the complexities of loyalty and love.
5. The Nurse's character adds depth to the play by contrasting with other adult figures, showing the varying levels of understanding and support that parents can provide.

Review Questions

• How does the Nurse serve as a confidante for Juliet, and what role does this play in developing the plot?
  • The Nurse acts as a confidante for Juliet by providing emotional support and practical advice throughout the play. Her deep bond with Juliet allows her to understand the young girl's desires and fears, creating an intimate space where Juliet can express her thoughts freely. This relationship is crucial for developing the plot as it allows for significant moments where Juliet's feelings about love and family are explored, ultimately influencing her decisions.
• Analyze how the Nurse's character provides comic relief in 'Romeo and Juliet' and its impact on the overall tone of the play.
  • The Nurse provides comic relief through her witty remarks, physical comedy, and humorous misunderstandings. This light-heartedness balances the intense drama surrounding Romeo and Juliet's love story, allowing audiences to experience moments of levity amid tragedy. Her humor contrasts sharply with the darker themes of love, conflict, and fate, enriching the emotional experience of the play by offering brief reprieves from tension.
• Evaluate the significance of the Nurse's eventual betrayal of Juliet in terms of loyalty and familial relationships in 'Romeo and Juliet'.
  • The Nurse's betrayal of Juliet by suggesting she marry Paris instead of supporting her love for Romeo reveals deeper issues of loyalty within familial relationships. This moment serves as a critical turning point for Juliet, pushing her further into isolation as she realizes that even those who care for her may not fully understand her desires. The Nurse's shift underscores the theme of loyalty versus social obligation, highlighting how familial bonds can be strained under societal expectations.

Related terms

Confidante: A person with whom secrets or private matters are shared, playing a crucial role in character development and plot progression.

Comic Relief: A humorous scene or character introduced in a serious work to alleviate tension and provide a break from dramatic moments.

Parental Figures: Individuals who play a guiding role in a young person's life, often influencing their decisions, values, and relationships.