Romeo and Juliet

The proverb goes that “the road to hell is paved with good intentions.” In the classic play Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare, this proverb reflects Friar Lawrence’s preeminent role in the tragedy of the two teenage lovers, each belonging to feuding families in Verona. Though Friar Lawrence’s motives are filled with good intentions, he does not always use the moral approach to reach them. In his play, Friar Lawrence is the most responsible character for Romeo and Juliet’s deaths because he is not only political, but also irresponsible and deceptive.

First, his political nature causes him to abuse his position of authority to satisfy his own agenda. He takes advantage of his authority to do things that he knows would not be acceptable otherwise. For example, he marries Romeo and Juliet despite warning them, “Wisely and slow. They stumble that run fast.” (2.3.101) He recognizes that it is dangerous to rush into things, yet he still marries Romeo and Juliet. Both have only known each other for a couple of days, and neither of their parents have approved consent of this new relationship. Furthermore, Friar Lawrence understands that Romeo does not really love Juliet when he tells him, “Is Rosaline, that thou didst love so dear, So soon forsaken? Young men’s love then lies Not truly in their hearts, but in their eyes.” (2.3.70-72) Friar Lawrence assumes that Romeo’s sudden love is based physical appearance, and not anything deeper than that; consequently, this could possibly cause both children to regret the decision of obliging to a permanent alliance of marriage in the future. However, he does it anyway, “For this alliance may so happy prove To turn your households’ rancor to pure love” (2.3.98-99) because he wants to fix the ...

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...the plan. So even though he realizes the dreadful outcome, he decides to try to execute the already-doomed plan anyway.

Friar Lawrence is most responsible for the deaths of Romeo and Juliet through his reasoning to be political, dishonest, and irresponsible. He uses Romeo and Juliet to attempt bringing the families together, goes against his own beliefs, misleads Juliet, her family, and Romeo, and does not communicate effectively. This proves that even though one may have good intentions, one will be judged only on their actions. In this case, Friar Lawrence’s acts of sinful lying and single-minded determination to unite the families would not be tolerated, as people would never see the good intentions behind them. As stated by 20th century writer Aldous Huxley, “Hell isn’t merely paved with good intentions; it’s walled and roofed with them. Yes, and furnished too.”