"Disobedient" Women in Romeo and Juliet

In Romeo and Juliet, Shakespeare paints many images of womanly behavior uncharacteristic of Elizabethan era norms. Children, regardless of gender, were expected to behave as miniature adults, and women were to fully submit themselves to the will of the male figures in their lives.

Juliet expresses this contrary behavior throughout the play by committing to a secret marriage, downright rejecting her father's will, and by scheming for a release from her life as a Capulet. Likewise, Juliet's nurse is equally disobedient; she openly expresses her true opinions to both Lord and Lady Capulet, and often speaks out of turn. Furthermore, the nurse acts upon these personal opinions by assisting Juliet with her "unruly" plans.

In the beginning of the play, in Act 1, Scene 4, Lady Capulet approaches Juliet with Lord Capulet's wish for Juliet to be married to Paris. In the interim, the nurse goes off on a miniature rant about how Juliet's marriage would make her proud, and how much she loves Juliet, fondly remembering events in her childhood. Lady Capulet becomes annoyed with the nurse's speech, exclaiming, "Enough of this. I pray thee, hold thy peace".

The status of a nurse in the Elizabethan era was that as a servant; they would serve as a nanny in a wealthy household, and receive food, clothing, and shelter in exchange for work at all hours. Thus, it isn't surprising that Lady Capulet didn't value the nurses input into the conversation. She believed she was being kind enough in letting her be present to hear the matter of Juliet's marriage being discussed, but any more than this was unwelcome.

Lady Capulet then asks Juliet, "Can you like of Paris' love?" At this point in the play, Juliet is willing to be an obedient daughter, even though she would rather not marry. However, in Act 3, Scene 5, Lady Capulet informs Juliet that the date is set for this nuptial arrangement, to which she responds that she would sooner marry her enemy, downright rejecting the request.

When Lord Capulet hears of Juliet’s reaction he begins to scold her to the point that he says he would have her disowned and begging on the streets. The nurse interjects, directly telling Lord Capulet that he is speaking too harshly, to which he snaps back by telling her to be quiet.

It is interesting that this scene brought out the “worst” in these two women. The nurse spoke out of turn to defend Juliet, whom she loves as a daughter, while Juliet rebels because she seems to have no control over her life.