Nurse

Question 1

What was the name of the Nurse’s daughter?

Answer 1

The Nurse’s daughter was called Susan. She died before the events of the play. This might help explain the Nurse’s affection for Juliet, a child she has helped look after after from birth.

Question 2

Which of these is not a name that the Nurse calls Juliet?
A. lamb
B. chick
C. ladybird
D. pretty fool

Answer 2

B. The Nurse doesn’t call Juliet “chick”, but she has many other pet names for her, which shows how much she cares for her.

Question 3

Give an example of the Nurse’s vulgar language.

Answer 3

The Nurse swears by her “maidenhead” (virginity) in Act 1, Scene 3.

Question 4

Explain how the audience knows that Juliet is closer to the Nurse than to Lady Capulet.

Answer 4

The audience knows Juliet is close to the Nurse because the Nurse is told about Juliet’s plan to marry Romeo. In contrast, Juliet never reveals her plans to her mother. Lady Capulet also says she has “done” with Juliet disobeys Capulet. The fact that she is willing to abandon Juliet hints that they weren’t close to start with.

Question 5

‘The Nurse is an unreliable character.’ Do you agree? Give reasons for your answer.

Answer 5

• The Nurse is reliable
  because she completes
  every task Juliet sets her.
  She helps to arrange
  Juliet’s marriage to Romeo
  and Romeo’s visit after he
  is banished.
• The Nurse is unreliable at
  an important time. She
  changes her opinion on
  who Juliet should marry
  when Juliet needs her
  support. This leads Juliet to
  consult Friar Lawrence for
  help instead.