Friar Laurence In Shakespeare's Romeo And Juliet

“We still have known thee for a holy man.” Both families in Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare had an abundance of respect for the man, Friar Laurence. He is a key character in the plot of Romeo and Juliet. Friar Laurence servers many dramatic purposes in the play. His role was a father figure to both Juliet and Romeo, a man whom Romeo could divulge information to, and an instrumental character in the final scenes of Romeo and Juliet. Friar Laurence’s speech to Romeo shows how he is a father figure to Romeo. The Friar and Romeo have a discussion in the first scene about his love of Rosaline. Friar Laurence says,

“That's my good son: but where hast thou been, then?”(Shakespeare Act II Scene III). He directly calls a Montague, Romeo, his son. It shows how much both of them respect each other as well.

Romeo told the Friar that he wanted to marry a Capulet girl, Juliet. Romeo said, “Do thou but close our hands with holy words, Then love-devouring death do what he dare; It is enough I may but call her mine” (Shakespeare Act II Scene VI). Romeo is requesting that the Friar will marry him and Juliet in the sacrament of Matrimony. He then says, love-destroying death can do whatever it pleases, it's enough for me if I can call her mine. Romeo is asking Friar Laurence to marry him to a Capulet, the opposing family. It shows that the Friar is man whom Romeo could divulge information