Friar Lawrence To Blame For The Deaths Of Romeo And Juliet

William Shakespeare’s tragedy of Romeo and Juliet is the story of two lovers whose relationship brings out the worst in their families. In order to hide their forbidden love, Romeo and Juliet were willing to do anything. These decisions lead into their deaths. There were many characters who influenced the decisions of Romeo and Juliet, including themselves. However, Friar Laurence is the one to blame for causing the deaths of Romeo and Juliet.

The wedding of Romeo and Juliet could not have happened without the help of Friar Laurence. Romeo goes to Friar for advice on his relationships. Friar knows that Romeo likes the thought of being in love, but not actual love (2: iii: 80). Friar agreed to marry Romeo and Juliet knowing that it would cause problems. He initially thinks that their marriage will turn their “households’ rancor to pure love” (2: iii: 92). Eventually, he feels that “too swift arrives as tardy as too slow”, which shows that Friar knows that Romeo and Juliet are rushing their relationship, but still agrees to marry them (2: vi: 15). If the Friar had realized this earlier, he could have prevented the future events from happening. Because Friar Laurence married the two lovers, he forced them to create commitments without

allowing them to fully think it through.
Friar Laurence is also responsible for creating a plan for Juliet to escape Verona.

When she is forced to marry Paris, Juliet comes to Friar Laurence asking for help. Instead of providing an alternate solution to her problem, Friar gives Juliet a remedy that makes her turn cold, pale, and stiff for 42 hours (4, i, 103). Without realizing that Juliet is being an irrational child, Friar foolishly suggests a plan that would change her life. He also tells Juliet that Romeo will receive news of the plan through his letters, which he also fails to deliver on time (4: i: 114). Romeo’s decision to kill himself over Juliet’s death could have been prevented if Friar Laurence had thoroughly thought out his plan and delivered it

correctly.
Some argue that Friar was only trying to help Romeo and Juliet’s relationship (2: iii: 67). However, Friar said “these violent delights have violent ends”, which show that he knew that Romeo and Juliet’s romance was not going to end well (2: vi: 9). Knowing this, Friar agrees to marry them, which causes a large commotion amongst the two families. Friar could have prevented everything from happening by refusing to marry Romeo and Juliet. Even after realizing all the destruction that occurred, he continues to create a plan for Juliet, who was being illogical and thinking too quickly. He then fails to deliver the letter of the plan to Romeo which leads to him jumping to conclusions (4: I: 114). Because Friar continued to help Romeo and Juliet, he eventually led them to their deaths.
Romeo and Juliet’s death are caused by many different factors. Because the two of them were so young, they were not ready for a serious relationship. Without realizing the risks of his plans, Friar Laurence’s decisions created a situation that caused both of their deaths.