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Word Nerd: "matron"
Context and Language Videos
Act 3,
Scene 2
Lines 1-16

An explanation of the word "matron" in Act 3, Scene 2 of myShakespeare's Romeo and Juliet. 

myShakespeare | Romeo and Juliet 3.2 Word Nerd: matron

[The Capulets' house, enter Juliet]

Juliet

Gallop apace, you fiery-footed steeds,
Towards Phoebus' lodging. Such a wagoner
As Phaeton would whip you to the west,
And bring in cloudy night immediately.
Spread thy close curtain, love-performing "night,"
That runaways’ eyes may wink and Romeo
Leap to these arms, untalked of and unseen.
Lovers can see to do their amorous rites
By their own beauties, or, if love be blind,
It best agrees with night. Come, civil night,                  
Thou sober-suited matron all in black,
And learn me how to lose a winning match,
Played for a pair of stainless maidenhoods.
Hood my unmanned blood, bating in my cheeks,
With thy black mantle till strange love grow bold,
Think true love acted simple modesty.
Video Transcript: 

SARAH: Matron derives from the latin word, mātrōna, a married women.

RALPH: Today we use matron to refer to any serious older woman with experience and authority.

SARAH: But in Shakespeare’s time, a matron referred to an expert in pregnancy and childbirth—what we might call a midwife.

RALPH: Similarly, here he’s extending the meaning to refer to an expert in the art of making love. Juliet seeks a figure who can teach her how to “lose the winning match.”

SARAH: That is, how to win at love making, while losing her virginity.

RALPH: The night, like a serious matron, is appropriately suited, or dressed, in black.