Nurse's Care For Juliet example essay topic

Romeo and Juliet - The Nurse In Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet the minor but important character of The Nurse can often be viewed by the readers as ridiculous. However, more often than not we find ourselves sympathizing with her in spite of this flaw in her character. Our first impression of the Nurse comes when she is speaking with Juliet and Juliet's Mother, Lady Capulet. From this scene we can clearly see many important sides of the Nurses' character.

Immediately we notice that when she is given the slightest opportunity, she continually speaks about anything she feels, whether or not it is related to the subject she was originally asked about or not. This garrulous nature inevitably means she annoys those who surround her, as Lady Capulet demonstrates: "Enough of this. I pray thee hold thy peace" Her over-the-top personality and constant talking about insignificant matters does make her seem ridiculous to the readers. Yet, we find ourselves sympathetic and more understanding towards her when we begin to recognise the tremendous care and love she has for Juliet.

This is shown in the way she speaks about her and the affectionate way in which she calls her "Jule". Strangely enough, we begin to realise she seems closer to Juliet than her mother. When she hears of a potential marriage between Juliet and Paris she instantly feels happiness and is filled with pride towards Juliet: "Peace, I have done. God mark thee to his grave thou wast the prettiest babe that e'er I nursed. And I might live to see thee married once, I have my wish".

Again, we would associate these kind words to that of a mother speaking to her daughter, which again emphasises the Nurse's care for Juliet. Although I felt impatience with the Nurse to begin with, her obvious care for Juliet throughout these opening scenes clearly creates a more likeable character and a good first impression of the Nurse. It is clear when the Nurse meets with Romeo in Verona's Streets that our view of the Nurse's ridiculous behaviour is continued. When she approaches Romeo and his friends, he says: " Here's goodly gear! A sail, a sail!" She has obviously dressed up for the occasion, and with her servant, Peter, acts as if she is a very important person in society. At this point we cannot help but laugh at her foolish behaviour.

In this scene she also speaks with Romeo's quick-witted friend Mercutio and she clearly thinks he is very rude. We can see from this scene the Burse is not well educated and is overshadowed by Mercutio intellect. She continually struggles pronouncing long words, as she says to Romeo: "If you be he, sir, I desire some confidence with you" She says 'confidence' when she clearly meant 'conference'. Mercutio notices this and makes fun of her. Again this leads to the readers feeling pity for the nurse as Romeo's friends ridicule her. Although her eccentric behaviour has led to this, she was willing to put through with it for once purpose; to speak with Romeo for Juliet.

Despite her flamboyant way of introducing herself, she gains sympathy from the readers from her desire to help Juliet. From the beginning of the play, Shakespeare uses the Nurse to bring out one of the main themes of the play, youth and age. The most obvious use of this theme comes across when The Nurse says: "Shame come to Romeo!" and then Juliet replies instantly: "Blistered be thy tongue For such a wish!" Juliet's attitude is very youthful and idealists in defending Romeo, even after he had killed her cousin Ty balt. Towards the end of the Nurses involvement in the play she advises Juliet strongly to reconsider her marriage to the banished Romeo, and marry Paris instead: " Faith, here it is: Romeo Is banished; and all the world to nothing That he dares ne " er come back to challenge you... i think it best you married with the County". She is much more realistic in both circumstances and on both occasions defies what Juliet really wants. I think Shakespeare's use of the Nurse in these scenes contributed vastly to the theme of youth and age and through this create, as Shakespeare intended, a sympathetic view towards Juliet.

At times during the play, we are in danger of losing sympathy towards the Nurse, and no more so than in the two scenes she turns her back on Juliet. She thinks Juliet should leave Romeo and because Juliet dismisses the idea immediately, the Nurse will not risk helping Juliet anymore. However we come to realise she only acts this way because she always wants best for Juliet. The Nurse thinks Juliet will lead an easier life with Paris and she will be on friendly terms with her parents. I think, throughout the play, continually the Nurse does what she thinks is best for Juliet. She worries about her happiness and repeatedly assists Juliet in her relationship with Romeo, even though it was a risk to her job.

This clearly makes the readers feel immense sympathy with the Nurse, especially when it becomes apparent in this scene. In conclusion, I think, even though her antics and personality may irritate the readers at times during the play, and occasionally result in an indifferent view of the Nurse, we come to like and sympathies towards her through her absurdity, commonness and most of all, her undying care for Juliet.