The Capulets’ nurse and Lady Capulet act as character foils throughout Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet.” This is because their differing characteristics help portray a contrast between the two of them. The Capulet family is first introduced in Act 1 Scene 3 of the play. It is already clear that Lady Capulet is more serious and scholarly while the nurse acts as a comic relief. Along with this, Lady Capulet seems to care about Juliet’s appearance and reputation and how it will affect the Capulet name while the nurse genuinely looks out for Juliet’s best interest. Even though Lady Capulet is Juliet’s biological mother, she doesn’t act as a maternal figure to Juliet. It can be likely inferred that the nurse spends more time with Juliet than Lady …show more content…
It can be inferred the nurse genuinely cares for Juliet because of the advice she gives Juliet when it comes to picking a husband. In Scene 2 Act 5 Line 38, the nurse says, “Well, you have made a simple choice. You know not how to choose a man. Romeo! No, not he, though his face be better than any man’s, yet his leg excels all men’s, and for a hand and a foot and a body, though they be not to be talked on, yet they are past compare. He is not the flower of courtesy, but, I’ll warrant him, as gentle as a lamb. Go thy ways, wench. Serve God.” Unlike Lady Capulet who basically forces Juliet into marrying Paris, the nurse is more understanding, and actually talked to Romeo for Juliet. She tells Juliet do what she wants based on how she feels. Along with this, in Act 3 Scene 2 Line 140, the nurse tells Juliet she will go out of her way to find Romeo so he can bring Juliet comfort. “Hie to your chamber. I’ll find Romeo to comfort you. I wot well where he is. Hark ye, your Romeo will be here a night. I’ll talk to him. He is hid at Lawrence’ cell.” After the nurse informs Juliet Tybalt has been killed and Romeo has been banished, Juliet is struggling finding a purpose to live. The nurse sees this, and knows the only thing that will heal her broken heart will be Romeo by her