Romeo and Juliet · Chapter
Scene V explained
Juliet anxiously awaits the Nurse's return with news from Romeo.
What happens
Juliet anxiously awaits the Nurse's return with news from Romeo. The Nurse teases her with delays before finally revealing that Romeo awaits her at Friar Laurence's cell for their secret wedding.
Themes in this chapter
Love and Impulse
Juliet's desperate impatience and the Nurse's teasing highlight the impulsive, all-consuming nature of young love.
Youth and Impetuosity
Juliet's restless waiting and the Nurse's playful delays underscore the youthful eagerness and impatience driving the secret marriage plan.
Characters to notice
- Juliet
Impatiently waits for news from Romeo, showing her youthful passion and impulsiveness.
- Nurse
Delivers news of Romeo's arrangements for the secret wedding, teasing Juliet with delays.
- Romeo
Mentioned as awaiting Juliet at Friar Laurence's cell for their marriage.
- Friar Laurence
Mentioned as the one who will marry Romeo and Juliet.
- Peter
Briefly appears as the Nurse's servant, sent to wait at the gate.
Key passages
“Therefore do nimble-pinion'd doves draw love, And therefore hath the wind-swift Cupid wings.”
Love should be swift as doves and Cupid's wings, not slow like old age.
Juliet expresses her frustration with the Nurse's delay, contrasting the speed of love with the sluggishness of the elderly.
“Hie you hence to Friar Laurence' cell; There stays a husband to make you a wife.”
Go quickly to Friar Laurence's cell, where a husband awaits to make you his wife.
The Nurse finally reveals that Romeo is waiting at the friar's cell for their secret wedding.