Explain Why The Nurse Is Responsible For The Deaths Of Romeo And Juliet Essay

In the play Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare, it is set in Verona, Italy of 1595. It goes back to the time of old english and the immature love of 13 year old Juliet and 18 year old Romeo. Romeo, a Montague, and Juliet, a Capulet, their families clash and are great enemies of each other. Throughout the play the two hide their love from many except for a few, resulting with the misfortune of both their deaths. The Nurse of Juliet is mostly responsible for the death of Romeo and Juliet because she holds back critical information and advice. Although, there are reasons why the Nurse could be found innocent and not responsible for their deaths. The Nurse works for the Capulet’s, and her job is not to necessarily tell Juliet’s family all

The Nurse is always with Juliet and by her side 24/7 and knows her better than anyone. Juliet is young, dumb, and in love and the last thing she needs is inconsistent advice from someone she looks up to. At first the Nurse tells Juliet, “He is not the flower of courtesy, but, I’ll/ warrant him, as gentle as a lamb” giving Juliet the impression she approved and wants her to be with Romeo(Act 2, sc 5, ll.42-44) . This leads to secret plans for Juliet and Romeo’s love and marriage and a lot of secrecy from many people. The Nurse is involved in all of these secret plans and didn’t mind to stop them at all. But near the end of the play it all changes. When things start to get bad the Nurse changes her advice and prefers Juliet marry Paris, even though she is already aware that Juliet and Romeo are together. The Nurse tells

Then since the case so stands as how it doth,

I think it best you married with the county.

O, he’s a lovely gentleman!

Romeo’s a dishclout to him.”

(Act 3, sc 5, ll. 215-221)

giving her the advice she should not to be with Romeo. This leads Juliet to confusion and anger towards the Nurse. She gives off the impression of being pretty fond of Romeo at first and helped them be together, but went back and changed all of her views towards him and bashes on him. If the Nurse was completely honest and not so inconsistent with Juliet on how she feels about Romeo, that could’ve saved the two from killing themselves and possibly not even being together in the first place. The Nurse being a worker of Lord and Lady Capulet, she should be loyal and honest enough to tell them about what their daughter is doing with Romeo. The Nurse is involved in all of the plans for the two to be together and approves of it for a lot of the play. She also is well aware of how the family feels about the Montagues and knows it can cause some conflict. The Nurse tells Juliet,

“Hie to your chamber. I’ll find Romeo to comfort you.

I wot well where he is,

Hark ye, your Romeo will be here at night. I’ll