In class, we are studying Romeo and Juliet. Do you know what tragedies afflicted Peter ,the servant to the Nurse? I know that the Nurse was affected by the death of her husband and child. However, I don't know what tragedy affected the apothecary or minstrels. Was the apothecary poverty?

Question

In class, we are studying Romeo and Juliet.  Do you know what tragedies afflicted Peter ,the servant to the Nurse? I know that the Nurse was affected by the death of her husband and child.  However, I don't know what tragedy affected the apothecary or minstrels. Was the apothecary poverty?

Reed · Answer

The apothecary is poor and needs money, yes. Peter seems to have no particular tragedy associated with him, nor do the minstrels. Peter appears to be a loyal servant, and provides a little comic relief (and he doesn't want to fight anyone). We know nothing of his personal life.

Not all characters in a tragedy are tragic in and of themselves, although all are, ultimately, affected by the tragedy at the heart of the play.