Nurse

English Lit: AQA GCSE Romeo & Juliet, topic 6.2.5

Key Quotes - Nurse

Here are key quotes from the Nurse in the play:

'hie you hence to Friar Laurence’s cell. / There stays a husband to make you a wife.'
The Nurse knows that Juliet’s parents would definitely have forbidden Juliet’s relationship with Romeo. But the Nurse seems to only care about Juliet’s happiness. This supports the idea that she has a closer relationship with Juliet than her own mother does.
Although the Nurse does not understand Juliet’s feeling of romantic love, she supports her desire to be with Romeo as his wife.

'For Juliet’s sake, for her sake, rise and stand'.
The Nurse plays an important role in Act 3. She talks Romeo out of killing himself when he is very upset. She reminds him to think about Juliet and to live for her.
This is futile (has no effect) as both characters commit suicide in Act 5. But the Nurse makes sure that they have the opportunity to spend their wedding night together before their untimely (happening early) deaths.

'I think it best you married with the County'.
This simple statement is complete betrayal in Juliet’s mind. The Nurse, who had worked so hard to help Romeo and Juliet be together, seems to have changed her mind.
But this emphasises Juliet as a heroine - she doesn’t listen to the advice as she refuses to commit bigamy (marry someone new while already being married to someone).
This increases sympathy for Juliet because it is when Juliet loses her only real support.

What is the Nurse trying to persuade Romeo not to do when she says: 'For Juliet’s sake, for her sake, rise and stand'?
What effect does this statement from the Nurse have?
'I think it best you married with the County'