Nurse Flashcards
Overview
- brought Juliet up from child: breastfeeding her, caring like a mother
- Shakespeare presents the nurse as Juliet’s surrogate mother, maternal figure who wants Juliet to be happy and would do anything to ensure she is
- illustrated when she keeps Juliet’s marriage a secret risking her job and livelihood
Loving
How: the nurse loves Juliet like a daughter. She has brought her up and breast fed her as a child. Her own daughter, Susan, died and then Juliet because her source of attention and maternal core.
Evidence: ‘thou wast the prettiest babe that e’er I nursed. An I might live to see thee married once, I have my wish’
Analysis: Shows that the nurse loves Juliet very much as she is openly saying Juliet was the prettiest baby she had ever nursed and therefore looked after. This highlights the true connection that both the nurse and Juliet have. The fact that it is the nurse’s wish to see Juliet married illustrates how motherly she is towards Juliet
Truthful
How: when Romeo is banished and capulet organised Juliet’s marriage to Paris, the nurse thinks it would be a good match for Juliet. She is honest with Juliet despite Juliet not wanting to hear it.
Evidence: ‘I think you are happy in the second match, for it expels your first’
Analysis: this shows that the nurse wants the best for Juliet - she really cares for her and wants her to be happy. Therefore she tries to be optimistic
