Friar Lawrence In Shakespeare's Romeo And Juliet

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In Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, two households of the name Montague and Capulet fight a constant feud that eventually ends in tragedy. Friar Lawrence, a local churchman, provided heavy influence into the events regarding their love. Although he had well intentions, the friar was flawed in his efforts to unite Romeo and Juliet. Throughout the play, Friar Lawrence proves himself to be irresponsible.
Friar Lawrence carelessly married Romeo and Juliet. Immediately before the wedding, the friar warned that “violent delights have violent ends” (Shakespeare, II.vi. 9). He realized that marrying Romeo and Juliet the day after they met would not yield the best outcome, but did so anyway. The friar failed to take his own advice, and by hastily setting up the wedding, he initiated a chain of events which ended violently. Previously, Friar Lawrence suggested that Romeo should move “wisely and slow” so he would not “stumble” (II.iv. 101). Although he meant this literally, his words are also …show more content…

When Juliet threatened to kill herself after hearing about her arranged marriage with Paris, Friar Lawrence presented a plan “which craves as desperate an execution” (IV.i. 70). Rather than seek real help for Juliet, the friar made the rash decision of faking her death, where she would eventually be retrieved from the Capulet family tomb. Consequently, breaking into the tomb is a necessary part of the plan. As the friar implied, this action is illegal and would jeopardize the state of any person involved, including himself. Because Juliet wanted to see Romeo, Friar Lawrence also promised that “hither shall he come” (IV.i. 117). Tempting Romeo to return despite his banishment is unreasonable because his life would be put in extreme danger. Romeo already has the prince keeping a lookout for him, and Romeo’s death is the completely against of their goal. Friar Lawrence thoughtlessly risked Romeo’s life and put others at risk of severe

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