William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet

Essay for Romeo and Juliet by Shakespeare

The character in the play, Romeo and Juliet by Shakespeare, that I think has the largest impact on the audience is probably the Friar. Although the Friar might not have that big of a role, he was the one with the plan that got Romeo and Juliet killed. Some people might say that it was Juliet’s fault because she was the one that was so desperate for a plan to get her and Romeo together, the Friar had no choice but to go along. But still, the Friar was the one that came up with a plan. That plan might not have worked for many reasons, but the Friar didn’t think ahead.

Hold, then. Go home, be merry, give consent

To marry Paris. Wednesday is tomorrow.

Tomorrow night look that thou lie alone;

Let not the nurse lie with thee in thy chamber.

(4.1.89-92)

This part of the plan already might not work. For example, the nurse could insist on sleeping in Juliet’s sleeping chambers or Juliet’s’ parents could insist on it. If this was the matter, Friar should have an excuse that Juliet could use just in case.

Take thou this vial, being then in bed,

And this distilling liquor drink thou off;

When presently through all thy veins shall run

A cold and drowsy humor; for no pulse

Shall keep his native progress, but surcease;

(4.2.93-97)

In this part of the plan, Juliet could drink the liquid but not drink all of it, or the potion might not work at all. Friar should make it clear to Juliet to drink the whole vial and tell Juliet that there is a chance that it might not work.

No warmth, no breath, shall testify thou livest;

The roses in thy lips and cheeks shall fade

To wanny ashes, thy eyes’ windows fall

Like death when he shuts up the day of life;

Shall, stiff and stark and cold, appear like death;

And in this borrowed likeness of shrunk death

Thou shalt continue two-and-forty hours,

And then awake as from a pleasant sleep.

(4.2.98-106)

This part, the Friar is just describing what will happen to Juliet. He says that although she’ll appear dead, she really will just be in a deep sleep. Looking more closely at this description, it does seem like how a dead person will look like. There will be no breath coming out, they’ll become paler, they’ll lose their body heat and their eyes will be shut. Supposedly this ‘death’ will continue for 42 hours and then she will awake.