How long has the Nurse known Juliet?

Since Juliet was a baby. The Nurse looked after her from her earliest days and is almost like a second mother.

What does the Nurse do for Romeo and Juliet?

She carries messages between them and helps arrange the secret wedding. She is a go-between who keeps their secret.

Why does the Nurse tell Juliet to marry Paris?

She thinks it is the safest thing for Juliet, since Romeo has been banished. Juliet feels betrayed and does not forgive her.

From Romeo and Juliet

The Nurse

Juliet’s loyal nurse • Warm and bustling

Juliet’s cheerful, talkative nurse, who has cared for her since she was a baby.

Who is The Nurse?

The Nurse has cared for Juliet since she was a tiny baby. She is chatty, funny and always bustling about, and she loves Juliet like her own child. The Nurse carries secret messages between Juliet and Romeo and helps arrange their wedding, though later she gives Juliet advice that Juliet cannot bring herself to follow.

The Nurse is a character in Romeo and Juliet, the 1597 play by William Shakespeare, retold for ages 6–9 by Sean Lee.

What is The Nurse like?

Chatty
Affectionate
Humorous

The Nurse’s story

The Nurse is one of the funniest people in the play. She nursed Juliet as a baby and has lived in the Capulet house for years. She loves to talk, and she remembers things like the earthquake the year Juliet was weaned. Her long stories make Lady Capulet impatient and Juliet smile.

She meets Romeo for Juliet, carries messages, and helps Juliet slip away to marry. When Romeo kills Tybalt, she brings Juliet the sad news, and she helps Romeo reach Juliet for one last night together.

Then Lord Capulet orders Juliet to marry Paris. The Nurse says Romeo is as good as gone and that Paris would be a good husband. Juliet feels this is a betrayal and sends her away. Later the Nurse is the one who finds Juliet seemingly dead on the wedding morning.

“On Lammas Eve at night shall she be fourteen;”

the Nurse, remembering Juliet’s birthday, Act 1. From the original 1597 play by William Shakespeare.

A moment to remember

The Nurse teases Juliet by groaning about her aching bones and pretending to catch her breath, before finally laughing and sharing Romeo’s happy news.

Juliet Capulet: girl she raised
Romeo Montague: secret husband she helps
Lord Capulet: her employer

Talk about it

The Nurse loved to tease Juliet before telling her good news. What’s a fun way your family shares surprises?

Questions about The Nurse

How long has the Nurse known Juliet?: Since Juliet was a baby. The Nurse looked after her from her earliest days and is almost like a second mother.
What does the Nurse do for Romeo and Juliet?: She carries messages between them and helps arrange the secret wedding. She is a go-between who keeps their secret.
Why does the Nurse tell Juliet to marry Paris?: She thinks it is the safest thing for Juliet, since Romeo has been banished. Juliet feels betrayed and does not forgive her.