Tuesday, October 14, 2014

Could someone give me four quotes from Romeo and Juliet which blame the Nurse?

I don't think there are four quotes which "blame" the nurse. But here are four quotes which point to the Nurse's role in the tragedy of Romeo and Juliet - and perhaps help lead to their eventual death.


In order. The Nurse, even before Juliet has met Romeo, encourages her to enjoy herself and meet boys, despite her young age:



Go, girl, seek happy nights to happy days.



It's no surprise then that Juliet tells the Nurse about Romeo and uses her as a messenger. The Nurse is explicit about encouraging Juliet to have sex:



Then hie you hence to Friar Laurence' cell;
There stays a husband to make you a wife...
I am the drudge and toil in your delight,
But you shall bear the burden soon at night.
Go; I'll to dinner: hie you to the cell.



And, even once Romeo has murdered Tybalt, the Nurse is risking the law to conspire with Friar Laurence to get the two people together:



O Lord, I could have stay'd here all the night
To hear good counsel: O, what learning is!
My lord, I'll tell my lady you will come.



Yet, after all the Nurse's encouragement, she eventually betrays Juliet, giving up on Romeo, and advising her to marry Paris. She does do the honorable thing (as a member of Capulet's staff!) eventually, but it's too late to have any influence:



I think it best you married with the county.
O, he's a lovely gentleman!
Romeo's a dishclout to him: an eagle, madam,
Hath not so green, so quick, so fair an eye
As Paris hath.


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