Nurse and Friar Lawrence
The Nurse and Friar Lawrence were meritorious parental figures in Shakespeare’s ‘Romeo and Juliet’, because they were stronger influences on Romeo and Juliet than their actual parents. The Nurse and Friar Lawrence knew more about Romeo and Juliet than their parents. In Juliet’s case, it is due to the fact that she was raised and breastfed as a child and mentored her whole life by the Nurse. “When it did taste the wormwood on the nipple Of my dug and felt it bitter, pretty fool, To see it tetchy and fall out with the dug! Shake quoth the dove-house: 'twas no need, I trow, To bid me trudge: And since that time it is eleven years; For then she could stand alone; nay, by the rood, She could have run and waddled all about” (Act 1, Scene 3, verses 31-38) She probably respected and understood the nurse more than her own mother. For Romeo, he didn’t look like he enjoyed spending time with his family or friends; he was too busy falling in love with different women. And when Romeo had trouble with anything, he would consult with Friar Lawrence for help or guidance. Friar Lawrence also knew when something was bothering Romeo. “Therefore thy earliness doth me assure Thou art up-roused by some distemp’rature; Or if not so, then here I hit it right, Our Romeo hath not been in bed tonight.” (Act 2, Scene 3, verses 39-43) Romeo and Juliet obviously felt like they could open up to the Nurse and Friar Lawrence, probably because their parents were very stubborn about each other’s families; and the Nurse and Friar Lawrence were not. Juliet enjoys spending time with the Nurse more than her own mother for several reasons. The Nurse always wants the best for Juliet, and she always wants Juliet to be happy and comfortable. She was also always looking out for Juliet, she even warned Romeo that if he was playing with Juliet she would take care of him. “Now, afore God, I am so vexed, that every part about me quivers. Scurvy knave! Pray you, sir, a word: and as I told you, my young lady