Romeo And Juliet: Friar Laurence And The Nurse
Romeo and Juliet: Friar Laurence and the Nurse
The characters of William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet are part of what makes the play particularly appealing and entertaining. While both Romeo and Juliet have living parents, Friar Laurence and the Nurse serve as the parental figures, both having their strengths and flaws.
In contrast to Romeo’s impulsive ways, Friar Laurence is a sensible and practical character. For example, when Romeo admits he loves Juliet instead of Rosaline, Friar Laurence says, “Young men’s love then lies/Not so truly in their hearts, but in their eyes” (2.3.67-68). Friar Laurence is implying that Romeo is too rash and reckless with what Romeo calls love. He cautions that Juliet may be another pretty face and Romeo is …show more content…
For example, when Juliet is cornered into marrying Paris, Friar Laurence says, “I do spy a kind of hope” (4.1.68). Friar Laurence, as kind as he is, keeps on helping Romeo and Juliet, trying to make everything perfect. In this way, he strikes resemblance to Romeo, not planning for the future. Moreover, when the asked for her opinion, the Nurse says, “[Paris is] a lovely gentleman/Romeo’s a dishclout to him” (3.5.218-219). The Nurse says this when Juliet is in need of words of comfort, and from practically the beginning, the Nurse is aware of how much Juliet loves Romeo and dislikes Paris. To say this, the Nurse has profoundly upset Juliet. Finally, on the morning of Paris and Juliet’s wedding, the Nurse says, “...the next night, [she warrants]/The County Paris hath set up his rest/That [Juliet] shall rest but little” (4.5.5-7). This is one of the many examples of the Nurse’s bawdy comments, that show that the Nurse views love in a much more sexual and physical way. This is not so much of a flaw, but it clashes with the type of love Juliet believes in, a more spiritual and pure love. Friar Laurence and the Nurse, like all characters, have their
The characters of William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet are part of what makes the play particularly appealing and entertaining. While both Romeo and Juliet have living parents, Friar Laurence and the Nurse serve as the parental figures, both having their strengths and flaws.
In contrast to Romeo’s impulsive ways, Friar Laurence is a sensible and practical character. For example, when Romeo admits he loves Juliet instead of Rosaline, Friar Laurence says, “Young men’s love then lies/Not so truly in their hearts, but in their eyes” (2.3.67-68). Friar Laurence is implying that Romeo is too rash and reckless with what Romeo calls love. He cautions that Juliet may be another pretty face and Romeo is …show more content…
For example, when Juliet is cornered into marrying Paris, Friar Laurence says, “I do spy a kind of hope” (4.1.68). Friar Laurence, as kind as he is, keeps on helping Romeo and Juliet, trying to make everything perfect. In this way, he strikes resemblance to Romeo, not planning for the future. Moreover, when the asked for her opinion, the Nurse says, “[Paris is] a lovely gentleman/Romeo’s a dishclout to him” (3.5.218-219). The Nurse says this when Juliet is in need of words of comfort, and from practically the beginning, the Nurse is aware of how much Juliet loves Romeo and dislikes Paris. To say this, the Nurse has profoundly upset Juliet. Finally, on the morning of Paris and Juliet’s wedding, the Nurse says, “...the next night, [she warrants]/The County Paris hath set up his rest/That [Juliet] shall rest but little” (4.5.5-7). This is one of the many examples of the Nurse’s bawdy comments, that show that the Nurse views love in a much more sexual and physical way. This is not so much of a flaw, but it clashes with the type of love Juliet believes in, a more spiritual and pure love. Friar Laurence and the Nurse, like all characters, have their