Romeo And Juliet Mentors

Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare, takes place in Verona, Italy where two star-crossed lovers from rival families meet and fall in love. The protagonists, Juliet Capulet and Romeo Montague have to keep their love a secret as their families are sworn enemies which leads to a series of tragic events. Friar Lawrence acts as a mentor for Romeo and Juliet and strongly influences their decisions as they try and make their relationship succeed despite the tension between their families. In Romeo and Juliet, the mentors are often portrayed as helpful and loyal; however, the actions of the mentors lead to the tragic death of the two lovers, this can be seen when Friar Lawrence approves of their marriage, when he secretly marries them, and when

he advises Juliet to go through with a poorly planned scheme to save her relationship with Romeo.

Friar Lawrence’s approval of the marriage between the star-crossed lovers makes them unaware of the possible consequences and makes them think that the relationship is appropriate and acceptable. After Romeo spends an evening talking with Juliet on the balcony, he realizes how madly in love with her he is and that he wants to marry her. He first goes to Friar Lawrence begging for him to marry the two. Friar Lawrence irresponsibly agrees to marry them unaware of the possible consequences that it could have. In agreement to help Romeo with the wedding, Friar Lawrence responds with, “In one respect I’ll thy assistant be/For this alliance may so happy prove/To turn your households’ rancor to pure love.” (2.3.90-92) This quotes is showing the first time that Friar Lawrence became a mentor in this situation. Although he hasn’t done anything yet to actually further the relationship, he has still granted permission to Romeo to get married to Juliet which advances their relationship. Friar’s willingness to marry them reassured Romeo and Juliet that their relationship was acceptable and appropriate. “Ah, Juliet, of the measure of thy joy/Be heaped like mine, and that thy skill be more/To blazon it, then sweeten with thy breath/This neighbour air, and let rich music’s tongue/Unfold the imagined happiness that both/Receive in either by this dear encounter.” (2.6.24-29) Romeo portrays his unconditional and undying love for Juliet. Friar’s acceptance of this forbidden relationship leads to a false sense of security and makes them oblivious to the consequences. Friar Lawrence’s irresponsible actions lead have lead Romeo and Juliet to believe that their relationship is respectable.

Friar Lawrence agrees to marry Romeo and Juliet in secret which will not end the feud between the two families and this will lead to severe consequences.

Friar Lawrence is a fallacious mentor. This is seen when he agrees to secretly marry Romeo and Juliet. “Come, come with me, and we will make short work./For, by your leaves, you shall not stay alone/Till holy church incorporate two in one.”(2.2.35-37) This was an ill-conceived decision because the families are unaware of this so it will not actually break the tension between the two rival families. This creates dishonesty and unfaithfulness to their families which evidently ends tragically. When Friar Lawrence married Romeo and Juliet he inferred that the feud between the families would end; however, this was not the case because they kept it a secret. “This shall determine that.” (3.1.28) Romeo challenges Tybalt to a fight to the death even though Tybalt is Juliet’s cousin and they are married. This proves that Friar’s plan was faulty and unsuccessful because there is still great conflict between the two rival families. Friar’s unhelpful mentoring is shown when he agrees to secretly marry Romeo and Juliet and when he wrongly infers that the feud between the families would

end.

Not only does Friar Lawrence display flawed mentorship when he secretly marries Romeo and Juliet, he also displays poor mentorship when he advises Juliet to go through with a poorly planned scheme to save her relationship with Romeo, which causes the untimely death of the star-crossed lovers.

Friar Lawrence advises Juliet to drink a substance before going to bed that will make her appear to be dead and unresponsive, but she will wake up within a day. This demonstrates unethical, immature and irresponsible behaviour, which leads to Romeo and Juliet’s death. “Take thou this vial, being then in bed./And this distilled liquor drink thou off,/when presently through all thy veins shall run/A cold drowsy humor, for no pulse.” (4.1.94-97) In this quote, Friar Lawrence instructs Juliet to lie to the Nurse and drink a substance before going to sleep, when the Nurse and Lady Capulet will wake her, she will appear dead; with the hopes that Romeo will come and their relationship will be saved, unfortunately this is not the case. Friar Lawrence’s plan is thoughtless, after Juliet is aware of the plan and has the potion; Friar is advised that Romeo did not receive the letter. This causes Romeo and Juliet’s untimely death. “A grave? Oh, no. A lantern, slaughtered youth,/ for here lies Juliet, and her beauty makes/This vault a feasting presence full of light/Death, lie thou there, by a dead man interred.” (5.3.84-87) At the sight of Juliet’s body, Romeo becomes so overwhelmed with grief

and agony that he drinks poison and commits suicide. Shortly after, Juliet wakes from her death-like state and is in extreme shock from seeing Romeo’s corpse that she too commits suicide. The two felt as they could not live if they were not together. If Friar Lawrence’s plan was more well thought out, planned and confirmed, the tragic, untimely death of the two young lovers could be avoided.