Comparing Mercutio And The Nurse In Shakespeare's Romeo And Juliet
Shakespeare’s play Romeo and Juliet is filled with interesting characters, plots, and twists. Two of the most notable characters in the play are Mercutio and the Nurse. They both bring an exciting element of comic relief and also a sense of tragedy that shapes the outcome of the plot and the plays fatal ending. These two characters acted as the closest companions to Romeo and Juliet (aside from each other after meeting) and were influential and bold characters throughout the play.
Mercutio was related to the Prince, but also acted as Romeo’s dearest friend. Mercutio was bold outspoken, and seemingly eccentric. The Nurse acted as a surrogate mother to Juliet all of her life and was her closest friend and confidante. Her personality was …show more content…
The Nurse and Mercutio made decisions and said things that also lead to the demise of the couple, whose advice eventually led to their untimely deaths. Towards the end of the play when the Nurse and Juliet had an open disagreement regarding Juliet’s choice in husband and the reasons behind this choice, their friendship and loyalty was truly tested. Since they do not share the same views on love, marriage, and sex, the Nurse does not want Juliet to think of Romeo anymore and advises her that she should proceed with her marriage to Paris as if Romeo were not alive, as she thinks this is better for the girl. Juliet calls her a "most wicked fiend" (99) because the nurse advises Juliet to marry Paris because the difference between men is inconsequential. This perhaps, is where Juliet sees the Nurse’s loyalty shift and runs to the Friar for help in being with her one true love, in which the Friar’s plan does to go accordingly, leading to the death of Paris, Romeo, and Juliet. The Nurse is the one who delivers the message also that Romeo killed her cousin Tybalt, which may have also added to the Nurses ill feelings toward Romeo in the end. This is where Mercutio’s influence steps into play as a failure to Romeo, though he was only standing up for Romeo, ultimately his cocky and protective nature led to his death. In turn, encouraging Romeo to avenge his death ad kill Tybalt, this led to his banishment from the city of
Mercutio was related to the Prince, but also acted as Romeo’s dearest friend. Mercutio was bold outspoken, and seemingly eccentric. The Nurse acted as a surrogate mother to Juliet all of her life and was her closest friend and confidante. Her personality was …show more content…
The Nurse and Mercutio made decisions and said things that also lead to the demise of the couple, whose advice eventually led to their untimely deaths. Towards the end of the play when the Nurse and Juliet had an open disagreement regarding Juliet’s choice in husband and the reasons behind this choice, their friendship and loyalty was truly tested. Since they do not share the same views on love, marriage, and sex, the Nurse does not want Juliet to think of Romeo anymore and advises her that she should proceed with her marriage to Paris as if Romeo were not alive, as she thinks this is better for the girl. Juliet calls her a "most wicked fiend" (99) because the nurse advises Juliet to marry Paris because the difference between men is inconsequential. This perhaps, is where Juliet sees the Nurse’s loyalty shift and runs to the Friar for help in being with her one true love, in which the Friar’s plan does to go accordingly, leading to the death of Paris, Romeo, and Juliet. The Nurse is the one who delivers the message also that Romeo killed her cousin Tybalt, which may have also added to the Nurses ill feelings toward Romeo in the end. This is where Mercutio’s influence steps into play as a failure to Romeo, though he was only standing up for Romeo, ultimately his cocky and protective nature led to his death. In turn, encouraging Romeo to avenge his death ad kill Tybalt, this led to his banishment from the city of