Friar Lawrence's Involvement In Romeo And Juliet

However, Romeo and Juliet were influenced by several sources to help maintain their love; one of them being Friar Lawrence who had a major involvement in both their marriage and the plan for Juliet to avoid marrying Paris and instead reunite with her true love. “In one respect I’ll assistant be,...” (Doc C- A2,S3 ). This is a line from Romeo and Juliet ,which is spoken by Friar Lawrence to Romeo when he agrees to marry Romeo and Juliet. At first look it can be argued Friar Lawrence didn’t know he was marrying the children of sworn enemies until the quote is continued. “...For this alliance may so happy prove,To turn your households’ rancour to pure love.” (Doc C- A2,S3 ) This is the continuation of Friar Lawrence’s line where he confirms he does not only know who he will be marrying, but also how willing he is to marry them in the hope it will

bring peace to the feuding families. Although later in the story Friar Lawrence remarks to Romeo, “These violent delights have violent ends”(Doc C- A2,S6 ); this remark contradicts his earlier thoughts about the marriage bringing good fortune, but instead foreshadows the deaths of Romeo and Juliet by describing how their passion for each other will be what destroys them in the end. Friar Lawrence had both of these thoughts before he married Romeo and Juliet. This brings the question why did he marry them if he believed it could lead to both of their downfalls, which he reinstates with a metaphor, “..And in their triumph die, like fire and powder,Which as they kiss consume...” (Doc C- A2,S6). The wedding of Romeo and Juliet is also a reason for Juliet’s refusal to marry Count Paris because Juliet believes she is married to Romeo in the eyes of the Lord. “God join’d my heart and Romeo’s thou our hands..”(Doc C- A4,S1).

This could also be apart of the reason Friar Lawrence gave into Juliet’s plea for help because he is a priest who preaches the word of God and the one responsible for marrying them. When Friar Lawrence agreed to help Juliet he devised a plan allowing for Juliet to avoid marriage to Paris and be reunited with Romeo. However his plan was flawed because there wasn’t a way to notify Romeo when the letter detailing the plan of Juliet’s supposed death wasn’t delivered.”Who bare my letter, then, to Romeo?”-Friar Lawrence ” I could not send it,-here it is again,-...”- Friar John, the messenger. (Doc E- A5,S2). Without the knowledge Juliet wasn’t dead but under the effects of a sleeping potion Romeo committed suicide in the name of love, so he could forever be with his Juliet.(Doc E). Friar Lawrence was an active participant in both their marriage and planned reunion,yet he knew it would lead to their demise. He could've stopped it or refused to be involved in their love affair, but he didn’t and this is why he too is at fault for the death of Romeo and

Juliet.