The nurse is an extremely popular character with audiences of Romeo & Juliet how important is her role in the play in your opi
The nurse is an extremely popular character with audiences of Romeo & Juliet how important is her role in the play in your opinion?
The nurse's role in 'Romeo and Juliet' is a vital one. Firstly, the nurse is a trusted servant to Juliet and will act as a help-mate so that Juliet can communicate with Romeo. Secondly the nurse is a character who understands Juliet very well indeed and has been with the Capulet family for at least fourteen years. When Juliet was born the nurse's function was as a 'wet-nurse', to give Juliet her own breast milk as wealthy ladies like Lady Capulet did not want to feed their own children. As the nurse had born a daughter, Susan, (who had died) it was possible to wet nurse Juliet, making the bond between nurse and child very strong. Shakespeare's audience would have enjoyed the nurse on stage because she adds vital comedy to a play which has a tragic ending. The audience has to try visualise the appearance of the nurse is which is an important factor in 'Romeo and Juliet', the way the audience will see her is large, that she waddles and she is seen on stage to be an immense character with vitality and bawdy humour. Shakespeare's audience would have enjoyed the rudeness and the laughter which Shakespeare creates in his character of the nurse. Of course the nurse also brings dramatic tension to the later part of the play when she seems to desert Juliet, just when Juliet needs her and is desperate for advice.
In act 1 scene 3 the role of the nurse is one where the humour onstage is certainly created by her language and her energy for life. The nurse may be a huge character but Shakespeare deliberately illustrates that here is a women who can highlight the weak relationship between Lady Capulet and Juliet. The nurse is informative and Shakespeare helps her to relate the audience to the play easily because her language is down to earth and usually rude. The nurse refers to Juliet as 'lamb' and 'Ladybird' showing the close bond between herself and her young charge. The contract between the nurse and Lady Capulet illustrates the formality of Lady Capulet who refers to Juliet as 'daughter'. Juliet's nurse is popular, entertaining and funny as is shown by her words to Juliet when discussing Juliet's early years. The nurse talks about Juliet as a child who fell down. The nurse's dead husband remarked at the time 'thou wilt fall backward when thou comest to age'. These words show that Shakespeare understands his audience and he makes the nurse into a vulgar character so that the play will be both dramatic and entertaining.
When Lady Capulet suggests that she thinks about marrying Paris the nurse's words again are rude yet showing that Juliet, once she married Paris, might have a baby, therefore once again employing a wet-nurse. 'No less! Nay, bigger; women grow by men.' At these remarks Lady Capulet becomes exasperated and asks the nurse to be silent. Even Juliet wishes that the nurse will leave her in peace and once more Shakespeare is indicating that the nurse can be garrulous, fussy and overbearing.
In act 1 scene 5 the nurse's function is to offer information. Yet, there is dramatic tension as Juliet learns from the nurse that Romeo is a Montague. At first, there is tension because the nurse does not make it clear who Romeo is, finally Juliet learns from the nurse 'his name is Romeo, and a Montague; the only son of your great enemy.' These words are simply stated. The nurse is not angry with Juliet because she simply wants the young girl to be happy as to her, Juliet's happiness is paramount. Shakespeare is once more reinforcing ...
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In act 1 scene 5 the nurse's function is to offer information. Yet, there is dramatic tension as Juliet learns from the nurse that Romeo is a Montague. At first, there is tension because the nurse does not make it clear who Romeo is, finally Juliet learns from the nurse 'his name is Romeo, and a Montague; the only son of your great enemy.' These words are simply stated. The nurse is not angry with Juliet because she simply wants the young girl to be happy as to her, Juliet's happiness is paramount. Shakespeare is once more reinforcing the closeness of Juliet and the nurse and creating tension because Juliet is falling in love with Romeo - which is creating a feeling of doom...
In Act 2 Scene 4 Nurse takes messages from Romeo to Juliet and from Juliet to Romeo. This role is very important indeed as the nurse knows the hatred between the two families and she must realise the danger of trying to bring the two young lovers together. The humour in this scene is evident and there is a sense that the nurse would be a distinct figure on the stage, meeting the young boys who tease her in a very rude manor indeed. Firstly, they indicate her great 'bulk'. Romeo has remarked on her size and Benvolio confirms it. 'Two, two; a shirt and a smock.' These words show that they are ridiculing the nurse and she begins to be very cross indeed. As her anger increases, her language becomes full of inadvertent sexual references. Her language is indignant as she shouts at her servant Peter. 'And thou must stand by too, and suffer every knave to use me at his pleasure?' Again the audience would find these words highly amusing and the nurse might also be pacing up and down and showing her huge figure to he audience who would understand the sexual meanings of her words even though the nurse has spoken the words quite innocently.
In my opinion the comedy the nurse brings to the play 'Romeo and Juliet' is vital because the play has so much serious content. The nurse herself begins to warn Romeo in act 2 scene 4 that if anything happens to her dearest Juliet, she will ensure that Romeo is punished. 'But first let me tell ye, if ye should lead her into a fouls paradise, as they say for the gentlewoman is young.' Her words have a ominous tone because she is so involved with Juliet that she could not bare it if Juliet was hurt with the feeling of doom - the irony warning against things going wrong.
The nurse's practical side is also in evidence as she makes arrangements with Romeo to organise his 'rope, ladder' so that he can climb up to his beloved Juliet. 'And bring thee cords made like a tackled stair; 'The nurse uses this opportunity to share the secrecy of Romeo and Juliet's relationship. 'Is your man secret? Did you ne'er hear say Two may keep counsel, putting one away?' The rhythm and the rhyme of her words is a deliberate act by Shakespeare to create an impact on the audience. The nurse continues by praising Juliet and mocking Romeo. Her language is an important sign of her adoration for Juliet. 'My mistress is the sweetest Lady ... but she good soul.' Her words in praise of Romeo's love convey her closeness to Juliet and the audience will understand why she does not quite trust Romeo at this point in the play.
Once more in act 2 scene 5 the audience would certainly enjoy the banter between the nurse and Juliet. However, the dramatic tension is shown by Juliet's language as she waits for the nurse's return and the message from Romeo. Juliet is almost cursing the nurse because she is old. 'But old folks - many feign as they were dead; unwieldy, slow, heavy and pale as lead.' Again her words are significant because they are stated in poetry and with the entrance of the nurse; Juliet is desperate for news of Romeo. At this point in the play, Shakespeare creates a further comic role for the nurse. The old nurse will not communicate with Juliet; she stops talking and begins to grumble. She says 'Do not see that I am out of breath?' her question is comically humorous because Juliet only wants news of Romeo. Now Shakespeare shows the nurse thoroughly enjoying herself by teasing Juliet. Again onstage, the audience would take delight in the performance of the nurse and once more Shakespeare is showing her importance of her role to the play, as she is not only the messenger but the comedy maker. Juliet is pleading with her for some response and the nurse replies 'Lord how my head aches! What a head have I?' The humour is very one sided and the nurse seems to be enjoying the power she has over Juliet. Finally, the dramatic tension is broken as the nurse almost sings out her words in triumph, 'Hie you hence to Friar Lawrence's cell; there stays a husband to make you a wife.' Her words indicate the importance of her role, together with Friar Lawrence the nurse is the only person who knows about the marriage or Romeo and Juliet. Shakespeare makes Juliet address her as 'Honest nurse' at the end of the scene. The audience will appreciate the fact that Juliet adores the nurse and is very grateful to her for her role in the preparation for her marriage.'
The tragedy begins to unfold as Romeo kills Tybalt shortly after he has married Juliet and in Act 2 Scene 2 the nurse creates an ambiguous situation with Juliet when she comes to Juliet's room in a state of shock and gives Juliet the news ' He's dead, he's dead, he's dead.' Again this brings tension and drama to the stage as Juliet thinks she means Romeo. It is in this scene when Juliet calls the nurse a 'devil' and finally the nurse tells Juliet that Romeo has killed Tybalt. 'Tybalt has gone, and Romeo banished.' Once more Juliet seems to be very angry with the nurse and tells her 'Blister'd be thy tongue.' This is because the nurse has stated that Romeo should be ashamed of himself. Again Shakespeare is indicating that there is now a rift between Juliet and the nurse, not only because she has married Romeo but because the nurse does not seem to understand the situation between herself and Romeo.
Yet, in Act 3 Scene 3, the nurse creates a portrait of Juliet, heartbroken because of the situation. The scene is very dramatic indeed as she tells Romeo that Juliet weeps and weeps. The nurse's language is simple so that the audience can absorb the tension which is apparent. The frustration of Romeo and Juliet in being unable to be together contentedly is shown by the nurse as she offers Romeo Juliet's ring and makes plans to smuggle him into Juliet's room. 'Hie you; make haste, for it grows very late.' The words of the nurse are very grave, there is fear in the words and once more her role will be seen as trying to bring Romeo to Juliet so that the couple can be together for one night only.
The role of the nurse in Act 3 Scene 5 seems to be a very different one from the earlier scenes with Juliet. Lord Capulet has instructed his daughter to marry Paris as he feels that she needs comfort after Tybalt's death. The nurse, alone with Juliet begins to try and appease the situation by telling Juliet that Romeo is 'dead' and she should marry Paris. 'I think its best you married with the County. O, he's a lovely gentleman!' the significance of these words would show the audience that the nurse is trying to make a very bad situation into a better one. Yet, the interpretation of her words and ideas can also be seen as being very disloyal to Juliet's husband, Romeo and also being callous. Perhaps the nurse, not being very intelligent, is trying to resolve a shocking situation. Yet, Juliet feels that this is hateful and when the nurse leaves calls her 'Ancient damnation! O most wicked fiend!' The words 'damnation' and 'fiend' creates the idea of a 'devil' and to Juliet the nurse is now damned because she has not demonstrated any sympathy or understanding for Juliet. The audience will perhaps understand that the nurse could see that Juliet would not win any argument with her father. Lord Capulet would have been able to demand Juliet's marriage to Paris and Juliet would have been forced to marry. The nurse's earlier protest would have been a warning to her that Lord Capulet meant to marry Paris to Juliet. However Juliet, in her misery has forgotten that the nurse spoke up for her 'God in heaven bless her! You are to blame, my lord, to rate her so.' And therefore the loving caring aspect of the nurse seems to have left Juliet.
Shakespeare creates further dramatic tension is Act 4 Scene 5 as the nurse looks at the 'dead' Juliet and begins to act in the same hysterical way as she did upon the death of Tybalt. 'She's dead, decceas'd, she's dead; alack the day.' The audience will see the love that the nurse carries for Juliet as she begins to pour out her sorrow stating this day, is the worst day she ahs ever had in her life. 'Most lamentable day, most woeful day That ever, ever, I did yet behold.' Shakespeare is illustrating the nurse's grief and outpouring of love for her 'dead daughter'. The comic role has been reversed and the irony is that the nurse knows exactly what Juliet has been doing over the last few days and can still tell no one. The secrets the nurse holds will again be noted by the audience and they will understand the nurse's fear and sorrow now that Juliet is no longer around to give her a role in the Capulet household. The nurse may be terrified of discovery and also distraught at Juliet's death.
I do feel therefore that the nurse is an extremely popular character with modern audiences and would have been very popular with Shakespearian audiences. Her role in 'Romeo and Juliet' is a varied one. Onstage in her comic pose, she will create a huge figure of fun with her sexual jokes, creating a humorous atmosphere for the audience. Yet, the nurse is used by Shakespeare as a contrast to the very dark and dramatic scenes in 'Romeo and Juliet' so that there will be some relief in this otherwise totally tragic play. Shakespeare's nurse carries the messages between Romeo and Juliet and faithfully creates a situation where the two lovers can be together. Juliet perhaps does not appreciate the love and loyalty of the nurse and may not understand how the nurse panics at the end of Act 4 Scene 5 because she wants the best solution to Juliet's troubles. I feel that without the nurse in 'Romeo and Juliet' the play would lack the intrigue, the information about Romeo and Juliet for the audience, the information regarding Juliet's younger days and the huge humorous character onstage who is Shakespeare's nurse.
