Romeo and Juliet · Character

Nurse

Juliet's old nurse, whose bawdy tongue and fierce loyalty make her both confidante and comic messenger between the lovers.

supporting

Also known as Juliet Nurse, Nurse Peter, Nurse Marry, Nurse O Tybalt, Nurse Tybalt, Nurse Peace, Nurse Ay, Lady Capulet Nurse

First appearance: Scene III

As a supporting figure in Romeo and Juliet, Nurse is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

The Nurse provides a lengthy, affectionate reminiscence of Juliet's childhood, emphasizing her close bond with Juliet and her approval of Paris as a match.

In the storyScene IIIOpen this moment free

The Nurse has raised Juliet since infancy and speaks of her with the pride of a woman who once nursed her own daughter, Susan, now gone. She trades barbs with Mercutio, warns Romeo against leading Juliet into a fool's paradise, and carries messages and rope ladders without ever quite grasping the danger she's helping arrange. Her divided loyalty—to Juliet's happiness and to the Capulet household—makes her the play's most human go-between.

See Nurse in Scene III Book page

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Character Web

15 connections

A slice of how Nurse sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.

Relationship types

Family
Friendship
Professional
Other

Character groups

Central characters and families
Protagonist

+10 more in the full Character Web

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

This scene is the dramatic climax because it presents the emotional and psychological peak of the Capulets' gr…

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Relationships

Juliet
family · positive
Juliet's devoted nursemaid and confidante, who acts as a surrogate mother and go-between. How this plays out →
Romeo
friendship · positive
Friar Laurence
professional · positive
Juliet
family · positive
Juliet's devoted nursemaid and confidante, who acts as a surrogate mother and go-between. How this plays out →
Romeo
friendship · positive

Juliet
Juliet's devoted nursemaid and confidante, who acts as a surrogate mother and go-between.
Romeo
The Nurse acts as a messenger and ally for Romeo and Juliet's secret romance.
Friar Laurence
Friar Laurence and the Nurse collaborate as secret intermediaries for Romeo and Juliet.
Juliet
Juliet's devoted nursemaid and confidante, who acts as a surrogate mother and go-between.
Romeo
The Nurse acts as a messenger and ally for Romeo and Juliet's secret romance.

Relationship notes

How these ties play out is in the reading companion — open the free preview.

See Nurse in Scene III

In the story

Nurse appears across 11 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

Scene III
The Nurse provides a lengthy, affectionate reminiscence of Juliet's childhood, emphasizing her close bond with Juliet and her approval of Paris as a match.
Scene V
Informs Juliet of Romeo's identity as a Montague after the feast.
Scene IV
Searches for Romeo on Juliet's behalf, delivers her message, and agrees to help arrange the secret wedding.
Scene V
Delivers news of Romeo's arrangements for the secret wedding, teasing Juliet with delays.
Scene II
The Nurse brings Juliet the devastating news of Tybalt's death and Romeo's banishment, expressing her own grief and later agreeing to find Romeo.
Scene III
The Nurse arrives from Juliet, bringing news of her mistress's grief and a ring for Romeo. She urges Romeo to rise and be a man for Juliet's sake, and she agrees to help arrange Romeo's visit to Juliet.
Scene V
Advises Juliet to marry Paris, betraying her earlier support of Romeo.
Scene II
Confirms Juliet's visit to Friar Laurence and accompanies Juliet to help with wedding ornaments.
Scene III
Helps Juliet prepare for bed and is dismissed by Juliet.
Scene IV
Assists with spices and is sent to wake Juliet for her wedding.
Scene V
Discovers Juliet seemingly dead and raises the alarm.

Chapter companion notes

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See Nurse in Scene III