It's an old dramatic technique, called the dramatic foil. In order to underline the characteristics of one character he or she is put on stage opposite a character with whom he or she contrasts.
With the exception of Othello, all of Shakespeare's tragedies have passages of comic relief to lighten the tone and to put the sad and tragic events into contrast. The Nurse and Peter (and to some extent Mercutio) provide this in Romeo and Juliet.
They think it will be a laugh.
the nurse
Shakespeare knew that it sometimes takes a while for an audience to settle down, so he liked to start his plays either with a bombshell like witches coming up out of the floor (Macbeth) or a storm at sea (Tempest), or alternatively with a light scene which does not involve the main characters as in Romeo and Juliet or Hamlet. The relatively unimportant first scene can be missed by the patrons still negotiating with the orange girls without impairing their understanding of the whole play.
Comic relief.
You cannot normally identify a scene in a Shakespeare play with just the scene number. There are a number of scenes in every play which are called "scene 3", often as many as five different ones. In Romeo and Juliet the nurse comes looking for Romeo in Act III Scene 3, in order to deliver a message from Juliet and a ring. She is in Act I Scene 3 and Act IV Scene 3 as well, but is not looking for Romeo.
Shakespeare wrote in Early Modern English.
Shakespeare includes humorous scenes with the Nurse in "Romeo and Juliet" to provide comic relief amidst the tragedy and tension in the play. The Nurse's character adds depth and lightness to the story, offering a contrast to the more serious aspects of the plot. Her interactions with other characters also help to develop their personalities and relationships.
The humorous aspect of the scene when the nurse returns is her misunderstanding and mistaken identity with the old man as Romeo. This confusion leads to comical moments as she speaks to who she believes is Romeo but is actually a different character in the play.
To illustrate that life goes on amid tragedy.
The nurse's rambling in scene 3 creates comic relief by interrupting the tense or serious moments with her humorous and meandering storytelling. Her exaggerated descriptions and lengthy anecdotes provide a contrast to the other characters' more focused dialogue, lightening the mood and adding a sense of whimsy to the scene.
The nurse's dialogue in act 1 scene iii reveals her as talkative, humorous, and affectionate towards Juliet. She has a bawdy sense of humor and often speaks in a colloquial and direct manner, showing her warmth and closeness to Juliet. She is also portrayed as a loyal and caring figure in Juliet's life.
Shakespeare provides comic relief in scene 3 of Act 1 in "Romeo and Juliet" through the witty banter between Mercutio and Benvolio. Their humorous exchanges and playful language help lighten the mood amid the intense emotions and drama unfolding in the rest of the play. Additionally, Mercutio's exaggerated stories and puns add a humorous touch to the scene.
In Shakespeare's "Macbeth," the porter pretends to let a variety of humorous characters into hell, including a farmer, an equivocator, and an English tailor. This scene provides comic relief after the suspenseful murder of King Duncan.
In Act 1, Scene 3 of Shakespeare's "Romeo and Juliet," the nurse's speeches serve to develop her character as a comedic and talkative figure. She also acts as a messenger between the two young lovers, Romeo and Juliet, revealing key information and facilitating their secret romance. Additionally, the nurse's speeches provide moments of light-heartedness and humor in an otherwise tragic play.
the nurse
Shakespeare knew that it sometimes takes a while for an audience to settle down, so he liked to start his plays either with a bombshell like witches coming up out of the floor (Macbeth) or a storm at sea (Tempest), or alternatively with a light scene which does not involve the main characters as in Romeo and Juliet or Hamlet. The relatively unimportant first scene can be missed by the patrons still negotiating with the orange girls without impairing their understanding of the whole play.
There are approximately 190 scene twos in Shakespeare. Please specify.
There are approximately 190 scene twos in Shakespeare. Please specify.