The Dramatic Impact of Friar Lawrence in the play Romeo and Juliet

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The Dramatic Impact of Friar Lawrence in the play Romeo and Juliet

The play "Romeo and Juliet" has many characters, each with their

individual role in sustaining the plot. Although Friar Lawrence spends

only a little time on stage, his role is fundamental to understanding

the morals of the play. This essay explores the significance and

dramatic impact of Friar Lawrence on the play and his influence on

other characters.

The essence of young love is expressed in no better play than in

"Romeo and Juliet". The play is not a simple love story; it is as much

about hate as it is about love and the morals of society. The play is

set in Verona where Romeo and Juliet fall instantly in love at a

masked ball; however the secrecy of the forbidden love becomes

overwhelming and ends up with the eventual deaths of Romeo and Juliet.

Shakespeare also uses themes such as fate, because in this era common

people believed strongly in religion and mysticism. This invites the

question; "was the death of Romeo and Juliet due to fate or the

influence of other characters, such as Friar Lawrence?

Different aspects of Friar Lawrence's character are exposed through

the relationship he has with that particular person. To all of Verona

he is a priest and spiritual adviser; to Romeo he is a teacher as well

as a father figure;

"Thou chid'st me oft for loving Rosaline."

"For doting, not for loving, pupil mine."

(2.3.81-82),

Trust slowly develops between Juliet and Friar Lawrence; this is

evident when she visits him to discuss the banishment of Romeo. It is

interesting to note that although many people seek guidance from Friar

Lawrence, he nevert...

... middle of paper ...

...ealised there was

an opportunity to obtain reconciliation between the two feuding

families.

Friar Lawrence clearly has a dramatic impact on the outcome of the

play because his advice misguides the young lovers, who have little

experience of life and its pitfalls. He was on a moral crusade because

he saw the breakdown in families as disruptive to the fabric of

society and this drove him to put the unity of the families above the

interests of Romeo and Juliet. This is vividly demonstrated when he

deceives the families for their own good, by faking the death of

Juliet and by marrying the young lovers in secret. Shakespeare ends

the play with the reconciliation of the families and the disclosure to

the public of the unfortunate events. He uses Friar Lawrence as a

conduit to reflect his views on the morals of society.

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