Thread by @MrBruffEnglish

The nurse in ‘Romeo and Juliet’. A thread 👇

Nurse is often seen as just a comic character, but there's much more to her than meets the eye. Her character represents both nurturing and comedy, and her close relationship with Juliet is central to the play. #nurse #RomeoAndJuliet

👩‍👧 The nurse has a unique bond with Juliet, essentially serving as a surrogate parent. This closeness is emphasized in Act 1, Scene 3, when Lady Capulet feels she can't have an intimate conversation with Juliet without the nurse present. #nurture #Shakespeare

📜 Nurse speaks in blank verse in Act 1, Scene 3, which is unusual for a lower-class character. This choice by Shakespeare highlights her significance in the play and reflects her close relationship with Juliet. #blankverse #RomeoAndJuliet

Crystal Bartolovich's analysis of the Nurse's character shows that she represents nurturing and comedy. The Nurse supports both Juliet and the relationship between the two lovers throughout the play. #Bartolovich #nurseanalysis

Along with her nurturing role, the Nurse also provides comic relief. Her use of malapropisms and humorous exchanges with other characters make her a memorable and entertaining figure in the play. #comedy #Shakespeare

As the play progresses, the relationship between Nurse and Juliet weakens. Juliet matures, distancing herself from her childhood and, consequently, from Nurse.

At the play's end, Nurse's absence is notable. According to Bartolovich, this exclusion represents the loss of nurturing and comedy in the unredeemed social order that remains. Nurse's importance is underscored by her absence. #tragedy #RomeoAndJuliet

For more, watch the full video here:
Reference: Bartolovich, Crystal, ‘“First as Tragedy, then as…”: Gender, Genre, History, and Romeo and Juliet’, found in ‘Rethinking Feminism in Early Modern Studies’ (Routledge, 2016)