New
New
Year 10
AQA
Exploring the role of the Nurse and comedy in Act 2, Scene 4
I can explain the role of the Nurse and comedy in Act 2, Scene 4 of ‘Romeo and Juliet’.
New
New
Year 10
AQA
Exploring the role of the Nurse and comedy in Act 2, Scene 4
I can explain the role of the Nurse and comedy in Act 2, Scene 4 of ‘Romeo and Juliet’.
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Lesson details
Key learning points
- Shakespeare presents the relationship between the Nurse and Juliet as a close relationship.
- Shakespeare implies that the Nurse is protective of Juliet and that Juliet in turn trusts the Nurse.
- Arguably, the Nurse’s use of malapropisms presents her as uneducated.
- Shakespeare’s use of bawdy humour might have been a way of appealing to the lower classes.
- Alternatively, Shakespeare’s use of bawdy humour might emphasise the youthfulness of the characters.
Keywords
Tragedy - a play dealing with tragic events and often ends with a death
Comedy - a play that has a light or humorous tone that depicts amusing incidents
Bawdy - containing humorous remarks about sex
Malapropism - the mistaken use of a word in place of a similar-sounding one
Witty - using words in a clever and funny way
Common misconception
The role of comedy is merely to make people laugh.
Comedy can be a way of revealing information about characters.
It would be useful for pupils to share their ideas about the relationship between tragedy and comedy in Task C as it's a difficult question.
Teacher tip
Equipment
You may wish to have a copy of Shakespeare's 'Romeo and Juliet' for this lesson.
Content guidance
- Depiction or discussion of sexual content
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on
Open Government Licence version 3.0
except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).Lesson video
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Starter quiz
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6 Questions
Q1.
'A play dealing with tragic events and often ends with a death' is the definition of a play.
Q2.
'A play that has a light or humorous tone that depicts amusing incidents' is the definition of a __________ play.
history
tragedy
Q3.
Shakespeare's 'Romeo and Juliet' is a play.
Q4.
Which of the following is the definition of feeling 'protective'?
unable to keep someone or something safe
not concerned with keeping someone safe
Q5.
In Act 1, Scene 3 of Shakespeare's 'Romeo and Juliet', Lady Capulet asks the Nurse where Juliet is. This implies which of the following?
Lady Capulet has a close relationship with her daughter.
Lady Capulet doesn't want a relationship with Juliet.
Q6.
To 'ridicule' someone is to __________ them.
protect
admire
Exit quiz
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6 Questions
Q1.
In Act 2, Scene 4 of Shakespeare's 'Romeo and Juliet', the Nurse's refusal of money from Romeo for her help implies which of the following?
That she sees herself as an employee of Juliet.
That she feels as if Romeo should offer more money.
Q2.
In Act 2, Scene 4 of Shakespeare's 'Romeo and Juliet', Mercutio says "Now art thou sociable, now art thou / Romeo” - what does this suggest about Romeo's love for Juliet?
It makes him sad as his love for Rosaline did.
It makes him feel the same as his love for Rosaline did.
Q3.
'Using words in a clever and funny way' is the definition of being ...
sarcastic
pedantic
Q4.
'The mistaken use of a word in place of a similar-sounding one' is the definition of which of the following?
malevolent
malleable
Q5.
The Nurse's use of malapropisms in Act 2, Scene 4 of Shakespeare's 'Romeo and Juliet' suggests which of the following?
The Nurse is highly educated.
The Nurse is nervous.
Q6.
'Containing humorous remarks about sex' is the definition of which word beginning with 'b'?