Key Quotations - The Nurse

"Thou wilt fall backward when thou hast more wit."

Speaker: Nurse

Context: Act 1, Scene 3; The Nurse recalls an incident from Juliet's infancy when she fell and her father remarked that she would "fall backward" when she grew older.

Analysis: The Nurse's recollection highlights her affectionate and humorous nature. The phrase "fall backward" is a playful reference to the sexual act, suggesting that Juliet will engage in such activities when she matures. This reflects the Nurse's pragmatic and earthy perspective on love and relationships.

Themes: The contrast between idealistic and cynical views of love, the destructive nature of hatred, fate vs. free will

Effect on Audience: The audience perceives the Nurse's candidness and humour, which contrasts with the more serious and romantic perspectives of other characters, adding depth to her character and highlighting the play's exploration of different attitudes toward love.

"I think it best you married with the County. O, he’s a lovely gentleman! Romeo’s a dishclout to him."

Speaker: Nurse

Context: Act 3, Scene 5; The Nurse advises Juliet to marry Paris, suggesting that he is a better match than Romeo.

Analysis: The Nurse's statement reflects her pragmatic and materialistic view of love. She believes that Paris, whom she describes as a "lovely gentleman," is a more suitable match for Juliet than Romeo. This advice comes after the tragic events of Mercutio and Tybalt's deaths, which have escalated the feud between the Montagues and Capulets. The Nurse's shift in allegiance from Romeo to Paris highlights her concern for Juliet's social standing and future security.

Themes: The contrast between idealistic and cynical views of love, the destructive nature of hatred, fate vs. free will

Effect on Audience: The audience perceives the Nurse's pragmatic approach to love, which contrasts with Juliet's idealistic and passionate feelings for Romeo. This shift in the Nurse's advice adds complexity to her character and underscores the play's exploration of different attitudes toward love and marriage.

"I think you are happy in this second match, for it excels your first."

Speaker: Nurse

Context: Act 3, Scene 5; The Nurse advises Juliet to marry Paris, suggesting that he is a better match than Romeo.

Analysis: The Nurse's statement reflects her pragmatic and materialistic view of love. She believes that Paris, whom she describes as a "lovely gentleman," is a more suitable match for Juliet than Romeo. This advice comes after the tragic events of Mercutio and Tybalt's deaths, which have escalated the feud between the Montagues and Capulets. The Nurse's shift in allegiance from Romeo to Paris highlights her concern for Juliet's social standing and future security.

Themes: The contrast between idealistic and cynical views of love, the destructive nature of hatred, fate vs. free will

Effect on Audience: The audience perceives the Nurse's pragmatic approach to love, which contrasts with Juliet's idealistic and passionate feelings for Romeo. This shift in the Nurse's advice adds complexity to her character and underscores the play's exploration of different attitudes toward love and marriage.

"I am so vexed that every part about me quivers."

Speaker: Nurse

Context: Act 2, Scene 4; The Nurse expresses her frustration and anger towards Romeo, whom she refers to as a "scurvy knave," for his treatment of Juliet.

Analysis: The Nurse's exclamation underscores her deep emotional turmoil and protective instincts toward Juliet. The phrase "every part about me quivers" vividly conveys her agitation and distress.

Themes: The Nurse's protective love for Juliet, the complexities of love and relationships, the contrast between idealistic and pragmatic views of love.

Effect on Audience: The audience perceives the Nurse's genuine concern and her role as a confidante and protector of Juliet, highlighting the depth of their relationship and the challenges they face.

"Thou wast the prettiest babe that e'er I nursed.”

Context: Act 1, Scene 3, The Nurse reminisces fondly about Juliet’s childhood while speaking to Lady Capulet and Juliet, just before Juliet hears about Paris’s proposal.

Analysis: The affectionate tone reveals the Nurse’s maternal attachment to Juliet, which contrasts with Lady Capulet’s formal and distant attitude. By calling Juliet the “prettiest babe,” the Nurse evokes a deep emotional bond, suggesting that she sees Juliet almost as her own daughter. This highlights the theme of parental love and surrogacy.

Effect on the audience: Audiences may feel warmth and sympathy towards the Nurse, recognising her as a nurturing figure in Juliet’s life. This sets up emotional stakes for later scenes, particularly when the Nurse’s loyalty is questioned, making her betrayal feel even more complex.

“Go, girl, seek happy nights to happy days”

Context: Act 1, Scene 3, The Nurse says this after Lady Capulet mentions Paris as a potential husband for Juliet. It follows a discussion about marriage and Juliet’s future.

Analysis: This quote reflects the Nurse’s bawdy, informal humour and her earthy view of love and marriage. The phrase “happy nights” has sexual connotations, suggesting that physical pleasure is just as important as emotional happiness in marriage. It contrasts with Lady Capulet’s more political view of marriage as a strategic alliance.

Effect on the audience: The audience is reminded of the Nurse’s comic role and her closeness to Juliet, but it also hints at how the Nurse reduces love to physicality, which may make her later advice to marry Paris (despite Juliet’s love for Romeo) feel more shallow and untrustworthy.

“I think it best you married with the County.”

Context: Act 3, Scene 5, After Romeo is banished and Juliet’s parents demand she marry Paris, the Nurse changes her stance and advises Juliet to forget Romeo and marry Paris instead.

Analysis: This marks a betrayal of Juliet’s trust. By calling Paris “the County” (a noble title) and siding with her parents, the Nurse abandons the romantic idealism she once encouraged. This quote shows how the Nurse prioritises social security over love, revealing her pragmatic, even hypocritical, nature.

Effect on the audience: The audience likely feels sympathy for Juliet, who now finds herself truly alone. The Nurse’s betrayal isolates Juliet and pushes her further toward the desperate actions that lead to the tragedy, reinforcing the theme of lost guidance and youthful isolation.