The Nurse begins to weep and wail:

This scene contains some of the more agonizing moments in all drama. It has been compared to the "keening" in the Irish classic, "Riders to the Sea." It has been praised for its irony, and its pathos.

It also has some of the most repetitious, silly lines in all of Shakespeare:

The Nurse exclaims: "O woe! O woeful, woeful, woeful day!"

Getting into the rhythm, she hiccups the following: "O day! O day! O day! O hateful day!"

Finally, in a climactic moment, "O woeful day! O woeful day!"

Paris joins in, in harmony: "O love! O life!"

Capulet decides to join in the fun: "O child! O child!"


You may hit the "BACK" button on your browser, or you may click here...