Explain How Shakespeare Has Used Language To Suggest The Relationship Between Juliet and the Nurse In Romeo and Juliet
The use of language in Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet is very effective in displaying the relations between characters. In this extract, the reader is able to explore the relationship between Juliet and the Nurse to a great extent by examining the language used and looking at its contextual evidence. In the first line of the extract Juliet addresses the nurse with “Now good sweet Nurse” which indicates that the two characters are very close. This scene presents Juliet as being very fond of the nurse as she openly calls her good and sweet, and her care for this character is further presented in this passage of speech as she continues by asking why she looked sad. This loving relationship between the two characters is highlighted by the fact that Juliet notices that the Nurse is sad, and Juliet clearly cares for her feelings by acting concerned. This speech also leads the reader to think that the Nurse is usually happy around Juliet as she questions why she isn’t happy, because the Nurse is usually happy around Juliet it indicates that she enjoys Juliet’s company and that the two get on very well. A manner of respect is also present in the relationship between the two characters. There seems to be no ageism between the two despite their probable age gap and they treat each other as equal even though the Nurse should be caring for Juliet. In fact in this extract it seems to be Juliet who is willing to care for the nurse, which shows how much respect she must have for her. She even says “I would thou hadst my bones” after the Nurse exclaimed the pain she was in due to her bones aching which shows she would be willing to make a sacrifice in order to protect the Nurse. This mutual respect is further emphasized as the Nurse is comfortable in displaying a weakness to Juliet, and does not try to manufacture a false perception for Juliet. Further on in the extract Shakespeare presents more evidence for the two characters being comfortable in each others company by