LINES 106-67

The young men soon turn from making fun of each other to making fun of others. Romeo spies an old servant-woman all dressed up and trying to act ladylike. She's wearing a very noticeable hat, too, for as soon as Romeo sees her, he shouts, "A sail! A sail!" He doesn't recognize her as Juliet's nurse, and before he does, Mercutio takes over.

The Nurse has some wit and an earthy humor, but she's no match for Mercutio's intelligence. The more she tries to act upper-class the worse it gets. Mercutio pretends to go along with her, then cracks racy jokes at her expense. The final insult is that Peter, the Nurse's servant, thinks it's funny, too.

She finally says she's looking for Romeo. Romeo sends Mercutio and Benvolio away, promising to join them for supper. The Nurse is still furious with Mercutio, but Romeo assures her that he's only, "a gentleman, nurse, who loves to hear himself talk."

LINES 168-222

Romeo finally calms the Nurse, but she remains defensive and protective of Juliet. She warns Romeo that he'd better not lead her into a "fool's paradise."

As soon as Romeo begins to speak, the Nurse is won over. Once he tells her the plan, the Nurse is her old self. After a good chat, Romeo and the Nurse go their separate ways.

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