Who Is The Friar Responsible For The Deaths Of Romeo And Juliet

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William Shakespeare writes the tale of the love of two teenagers, Romeo and Juliet. The novel takes place during the mists of the 1300’s in Verona, Italy during a civil feud, the Montagues vs. the Capulets. Romeo and Juliet were on opposing sides. The tale ends with the tragic death of the two characters. Their deaths are a direct result of the negligent actions of the Friar, while misfortune and ill timing play minor roles.
The prohibited wedding of Romeo and Juliet is facilitated by the Friar. While the Friars intentions when marrying the two is pure and done to end a violent feud, they are also naive. During the opening of Act II Scene II, the Friar says “...how much salt water thrown away in waste. To season love that of it doth not taste!” (II iv 71-72) The Friar is …show more content…

He also continues to facilitate more events that continue to implicate him in the matter. For example, he comes up with a plan to get Juliet out of marrying Paris. Capulet and Lady Capulet believe that their daughter is crying over the death of Tybalt rather than the real reason, Romeo's banishment. They believe by speeding up the wedding it will help her move past the death, but what they do not know she is already married. In order to cover up what The Friar has done he comes up with a hail to marry plan, “And this distillèd liquor drink thou off, When presently through all thy veins shall run, A cold and drowsy humor, for no pulse.” (Act 4 iv 97-99) His plan is to give her a poison that makes her appear dead so she can escape with Romeo. While the plan is good in theory there are too many variables to compensate for to make it successful. One variable is entrusting a potentially deadly potion with an unstable 13 year old girl. Readers see a recurring theme at this point of the novel, the Friar being blind to reality and refusing to seek more rational and less rash

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