Nurse mama Flashcards
(12 cards)
Nurse Quote #1 - (Opening - Act 1 Scene 3)
“Go girl, seek happy nights to happy days.”
Analysis:
Imperatives such as “go” and “seek” suggests how she acts as a pseudo-maternal figure, complete support and advocation for this prospective marriage, but with much more genuine intentions than Lady Capulet and more of an emotional connection, showing that non-blood relationships can be powerful too
“Happy” being repeated and having dramatic irony, we know that it will not all turn out happy due to the prologue
Nurse Quote #2 - (Opening - Act 1 Scene 3)
‘Nay, bigger women grow by men’
· Uses sexual humour repeatedly which would be considered very inappropriate, thus indicating her lower class and lack of education
· Implies that women become pregnant due to men
· Alternatively, could imply that Paris will help elevate Juliet’s status
Nurse quote 3 - opening (act 2 scene 4)
‘No truly , sir, not penny’
· Proving her alliance no excessive care for Juliet beyond occupational responsibility’s
· Doesn’t take money despite her position as employee and the benefits it would have, showing she’s doing this all for Juliet.
· This is however, an example of her misunderstanding the intent of a character. Showing disconnect from the upper class as well as a level of ignorance that would be expected of her status
· Another example of her being a character of comedic relief
Nurse Quote #4 - (Midsection - Act 2 Scene 5)
“Though his face may be better than any man… though they be not to be talked on, yet they are past compare.”
Analysis:
Suggests that Romeo may only be pleasing to the eye and could possibly be lacking in other attributes, given that him and Juliet do not know each other all that well, picking up on her great haste to be married, showing her insight when it comes to Juliet due to the close relationship they share
Much alike the Friar in terms of being a pseudo-parental figure; both of them show resistance but eventually relent to Juliet and Romeo
Nurse Quote #5 - (Midsection - Act 4 Scene 5)
“Are you so hot?… Henceforth do your messages yourself.”
Analysis:
Consistently bringing up Juliet’s haste and impatience, showing their close relationship as she is able to pick up on her behaviours
Almost scolding her; is frustrated with her rudeness and adamant nature, reflective of a parent (pseudo-parental)
Nurse Quote #6 (Midsection - Act 2 Scene 5)
“But you shall bear the burden soon at night”
Analysis:
Making a reference to the consummation of the marriage, making more inappropriate remarks in order to reinforce the Nurse’s position as a comedic character
Can alternatively be foreshadowing the hardship that will come with the marriage, particularly in the fact that Romeo and Juliet will only really ever be able to see each other at night, idea of love and pain being interchangeable
Nurse Quote #7 - (Close - Act 3 Scene 2)
“O Tybalt, Tybalt, the best friend I had! O courteous Tybalt, honest gentleman”
Analysis:
Shows the Nurse’s loyalty as she protects the honour of the Capulet house, doing this by elevating Tybalt in his death, also linking to putting people on a pedestal following their deaths and forgiving their actions - were Nurse and Tybalt even close? And he was not courteous or honest.
Nurse Quote #8 - (Close - Act 4 Scene 5)
“Why, lamb! Why, lady! Fie, you slug-a-bed! Why, love, I say!”
Analysis:
Links back to Act 1 Scene 3, where she addresses Juliet - “What, lamb! What, ladybird!”, shows the Nurse’s consistent and unconditional love for Juliet
Repeated exclamatory statements show her excitement for the wedding day, highlighting the fact that she really does want what’s best for Juliet; pseudo-maternal figure
Nurse Quote #9 - (Close - Act 4 Scene 5)
“O woe! O woeful, woeful, woeful day!”
Analysis:
Repetition of “woeful” to show the extent of her grief, she does not physically have the ability to think of what to say because she is so overcome by this grief and loss
Pseudo-maternal figure; the strength of non-blood relationships is shown by the large contrast between Lady Capulet’s delayed response and the Nurse’s genuine sincere emotional reaction
3 adj
· Pseudo-maternal
· Inadvertently comedic
· Distraught
overview
Shakespeare uses the character of the Nurse as a vehicle to bring attention to the capacity for those of lower social status to demonstrate acts of love and care towards others. Initially, the Nurse is introduced to the audience as a pseudo-maternal figure as she treats Juliet almost as her own daughter. She also inadvertently acts as comedic relief at various points in the play which sometimes seeks to frustrate other characters. It is the Nurse who discovers Juliet’s ‘dead body’ at the close of the play with her reaction making clear how distraught she is to have lost someone so dear to her.
theme
Family – The Nurse’s adoption of a pseudo maternal role gives audiences the opportunity to appreciate her willingness to protect and care for Juliet despite not being related by blood. Generational difference – The nurse is very clearly part of the older generation who should harbour traditionalist views however she is willing to abandon such thoughts if this allows for Juliet’s happiness. Social status – The use of prose brings attention to the Nurse’s lower social status. She is sometimes used by Shakespeare as a form of comic relief which may suggest that those of her status are not to be taken entirely seriously.
