Question

Read the excerpt from Act II, scene v of Romeo and Juliet.

Juliet: The clock struck nine when I did send the nurse;
In half an hour she promis’d to return.
Perchance she cannot meet him: that’s not so. 5
O! she is lame: love’s heralds should be thoughts,

Based on your knowledge of Juliet, why does she become impatient while waiting for the nurse in this scene?

She is frustrated because she feels the nurse’s age is slowing her down.
She is angry because she feels the nurse is purposely taking a long time.
She is nervous because the nurse is bringing her big news about Romeo.
She is worried because the nurse may be lost and unable to return home.

Answer 1

She is frustrated because she feels the nurse’s age is slowing her down. Juliet complains that the nurse is "lame" and should be as swift as thoughts, showing impatience at the nurse's slowness in bringing Romeo's news.