# Nurse — Romeo and Juliet character guide

> Nurse in Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare.

**Role:** supporting

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

**First appearance:** 0005-act-i-scene-iii

## Snapshot

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

## Who they are

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.

## Relationships

### [Juliet](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/romeo_and_juliet_se/characters/juliet)

_family_

Juliet's devoted nursemaid and confidante, who acts as a surrogate mother and go-between.

### [Romeo](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/romeo_and_juliet_se/characters/romeo)

_friendship_

The Nurse acts as a messenger and ally for Romeo and Juliet's secret romance.

### [Friar Laurence](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/romeo_and_juliet_se/characters/friar_laurence)

_professional_

Friar Laurence and the Nurse collaborate as secret intermediaries for Romeo and Juliet.

### [Juliet](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/romeo_and_juliet_se/characters/juliet)

_family_

Juliet's devoted nursemaid and confidante, who acts as a surrogate mother and go-between.

### [Romeo](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/romeo_and_juliet_se/characters/romeo)

_friendship_

The Nurse acts as a messenger and ally for Romeo and Juliet's secret romance.

## In the story

### [Scene III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/romeo_and_juliet_se/chapters/act-i-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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/romeo_and_juliet_se/chapters/act-i-scene-v)

Informs Juliet of Romeo's identity as a Montague after the feast.

### [Scene IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/romeo_and_juliet_se/chapters/act-ii-scene-iv)

Searches for Romeo on Juliet's behalf, delivers her message, and agrees to help arrange the secret wedding.

### [Scene V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/romeo_and_juliet_se/chapters/act-ii-scene-v)

Delivers news of Romeo's arrangements for the secret wedding, teasing Juliet with delays.

### [Scene II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/romeo_and_juliet_se/chapters/act-iii-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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/romeo_and_juliet_se/chapters/act-iii-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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/romeo_and_juliet_se/chapters/act-iii-scene-v)

Advises Juliet to marry Paris, betraying her earlier support of Romeo.

### [Scene II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/romeo_and_juliet_se/chapters/act-iv-scene-ii)

Confirms Juliet's visit to Friar Laurence and accompanies Juliet to help with wedding ornaments.

### [Scene III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/romeo_and_juliet_se/chapters/act-iv-scene-iii)

Helps Juliet prepare for bed and is dismissed by Juliet.

### [Scene IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/romeo_and_juliet_se/chapters/act-iv-scene-iv)

Assists with spices and is sent to wake Juliet for her wedding.

### [Scene V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/romeo_and_juliet_se/chapters/act-iv-scene-v)

Discovers Juliet seemingly dead and raises the alarm.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/romeo_and_juliet_se/characters/nurse
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/romeo_and_juliet_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/romeo_and_juliet_se/characters