Nurse and Friar Lawrence Essay

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. â€Å"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. â€Å"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 bade me inquire you out; what she bade me say, I will keep to myself: but first let me tell ye, if ye should lead her into a fool’s paradise, as they say, it were a very gross kind of behavior, as they say: for the gentlewoman is young; and, therefore, if you should deal double with her, truly it were an ill thing to be offered to any gentlewoman, and very weak dealing. (Act 2, Scene 4, verses 147-155) The Nurse always puts Juliet in her best interests. The Nurse also understands Juliet better than her mother does, and when she told the Nurse that she loved Romeo, the Nurse was a bit skeptic, but she understood completely. On the other hand, when her mother confronted her about marrying Paris, and Juliet said that she would not be a happy bride, her mother told her that her father would deal with her. When Juliet told the same thing to her father, he yelled at her and disowned her, and said she was a curse. â€Å"How now, how now, chop-logic! What is this? ‘Proud,’ and ‘I thank you,’ and ‘I thank you not;’ And yet ‘not proud,’ mistress minion, you, Thank me no thankings, nor, proud me no prouds, But fettle your fine joints ‘gainst Thursday next, To go with Paris to Saint Peter’s Church, Or I will drag thee on a hurdle thither. Out, you green-sickness carrion! out, you baggage! You tallow-face! (Act 3, Scene 5, verses 149-157) Juliet was closer to the Nurse because the Nurse was not strict or angry with her, ever. Romeo was often guided and given advice by Friar Lawrence. Romeo considered Friar Laurence someone he could confide in, and therefore told him about his newfound love, Juliet, as soon as possible. The Friar, however, was not convinced. He felt that Romeo was very hasty in his decisions, having been so infat uated with Rosaline, and stated, â€Å"Holy Saint Francis, what a change is here! Is Rosaline, whom thou didst love so dear, So soon forsaken? Young men’s love then lies Not truly in their hearts, but in their eyes. † (Act 2, Scene 3, verses 65-68) Being a very wise man, he warned Romeo to slow down a bit, but Romeo stood firm. At that point, the only good Friar Laurence saw in the relationship was that it could eventually bring together the houses of Capulet and Montague. That first scene with the Friar shows his careful, wise manner and his loving care for Romeo’s best interests. Friar Laurence stood firm throughout the book, as he attempted to guide Romeo and Juliet during their struggles. The Nurse and Friar Laurence were people that always had Romeo and Juliet’s best interests in mind, and they were easy for Romeo and Juliet to open up to. For these reasons, and the reasons stated in other paragraphs, Friar Lawrence and the Nurse were definitely stronger parental figures to Rome and Juliet.