Make a comparison between Juliet and her Nurse based on the passage below.

Question

Wife: Marry, that 'marry' is the very theme
I came to talk of. Tell me, daughter Juliet,
How stands your disposition to be married?

Juliet: It is an honour that I dream not of.

Nurse: An honour? Were not I thine only nurse,
I would say thou hadst suck'd wisdom from thy teat.

Wife: Well, think of marriage now. Younger than you,
Here in Verona, ladies of esteem,
Are made already mothers. By my count,
I was your mother much upon these years
That you are now a maid. Thus then in brief:
The valiant Paris seeks you for his love.

Nurse: A man, young lady! lady, such a man
As all the world- why he's a man of wax.

Wife: Verona's summer hath not such a flower.

Nurse: Nay, he's a flower, in faith- a very flower….

Wife: Speak briefly, can you like of Paris' love?

Juliet: I'll look to like, if looking liking move;
But no more deep will I endart mine eye
Than your consent gives strength to make it fly.
Nurse is aggressive and Juliet is frightened.
Nurse is very enthusiastic about the idea of marriage, while Juliet is more hesitant.
Juliet is very enthusiastic about the idea of marriage, but Nurse cautions her to wait.
None of the choices

Answer 1

In the provided passage, Juliet and her Nurse exhibit contrasting attitudes toward marriage, reflecting their different perspectives and experiences.

1. Attitude Towards Marriage:

   • Juliet: She expresses a reserved and cautious attitude, stating, "It is an honour that I dream not of." This suggests that she hasn’t given much thought to marriage and is not actively seeking it. Her demeanor indicates a sense of hesitation and perhaps a desire to prioritize other aspects of her life over the expectations of marriage.
   • Nurse: In contrast, the Nurse is enthusiastic about marriage and encourages Juliet to consider it. She praises Paris, saying he is "a man of wax" and "a very flower,” reflecting her excitement and belief that marriage could be a positive endeavor. The Nurse appears to have a more pragmatic view on marriage, valuing it as a social norm and a step toward womanhood.

2. Persuasiveness:

   • Juliet: She is polite but reserved in her response. Her line, "I'll look to like, if looking liking move," indicates that she is willing to consider Paris, but under the condition that her feelings develop naturally and with her mother’s consent.
   • Nurse: The Nurse takes a more assertive role in trying to persuade Juliet to view marriage favorably. Her comments seem to encourage Juliet to embrace the idea without much hesitation, demonstrating her more practical and perhaps traditional views regarding a woman’s role in society.

3. Experience and Wisdom:

   • Juliet: Her response highlights a youthful innocence and a lack of experience with romantic relationships, showing that she is still in a phase of exploration and self-discovery.
   • Nurse: The Nurse’s remark, "Were not I thine only nurse, I would say thou hadst suck'd wisdom from thy teat," suggests she sees herself as a repository of wisdom and experience, implying that she knows the realities and benefits of marriage that Juliet is yet to understand.

Overall, while Juliet embodies youth and caution, the Nurse represents enthusiasm and practical wisdom concerning societal expectations of marriage. This contrast highlights the generational differences and the varying perspectives on the role of women in society.