Romeo And Juliet Mentors

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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 …show more content…

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 …show more content…

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

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