title

1048 Words3 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: The role of Friar Laurence in the tragedy of Romeo and Juliet

Friar Laurence

From a play you have studied show a supporting character plays a pivotal role in shaping the outcome of the play
Explain briefly what his/her role in the play is and then analyze detail how he/she affects the themes, imagery, other techniques

Friar Laurence character plays an important role in the play “Romeo and Juliet” by William Shakespeare . His involvement is essential in ensuring the demise of Romeo and Juliet. His advice to the characters helped to shape their decisions. How much influence does have in the final outcome of the play?

Fate heavily influences the outcome of the friar's actions. This displays to the audience that the friar does not have much control. This can be seen with the Friar Laurence's plan for Juliet to take a potion and the letter to tell Romeo about the plan was prevented from reaching him. The friar comments on this fact when he says“ Unhappy fortune! By my Brotherhood, The letter was not nice but full of charge,”With it saying “unhappy fortune” meaning bad luck and that it was out of control. Also him saying “letter was not nice” meaning the message was not trivial instead “ full of charge”meaning very important. This essential written communication was prevented from reaching Romeo with fate and destiny being involved. The Friar has no real power in the situation with Fate being truly in control.

The Friar does understand the nature of good and bad . He understands that it is man's choice of nature determines whatever it is good and bad. This can be seen with plants“O mickle is the powerful grace that lies In plants, herbs, stones, and their true qualities. For nought so vile, that on earth doth live; ” It could be seen that “mickle”means great and “grace” is healing powe...

... middle of paper ...

...He is ensuring her death because he is not willing to face justice with him scared “ I dare no longer stay” showing us that he can not bring himself with the word “ dare” associated with being panicky in the situation. We see that he is unreliable and a coward and can not take responsibility. He is hypercritical to teaching of religion with the clergy supposed to protect the weak and young; not leaving them to die. Theses weaknesses sealed the doom of Juliet.

To conclude Friar Laurence should be punished for his role. You can see fate played a played in everything going wrong. However it was his own decisions and actions in the end of the day that caused the downfall of Romeo and Juliet. Some of his actions had good intentions behind them however the path to hell is paved with good intentions. If he had been a braver man Juliet would have lived instead of dying.

Show More
Related

  • Friar Laurence is the Culprit in Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet

    495 Words  | 1 Pages

    This could be selfish behavior on his part, as the Friar knows he would be. committing a sin if he married Juliet to Paris, when she was already married to Romeo. & nbsp; Another example of the Friars selfish intentions, is the tomb scene.

    Read More

  • Responsibility of Friar Lawrence in Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet

    678 Words  | 2 Pages

    There are many reasons to the tragedy of William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. The tragedy, of Romeo and Juliet, involves a pair of ill- fated lovers who by their deaths will end the long and bitter feud that has been raging between their families for centuries. There are many incidents that occurred and many people could be blamed for the deaths of the two lovers. However, I believe that Friar Laurence is the one character most at fault for the tragedy that occurred.

    Read More

  • Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet - Friar Laurence

    969 Words  | 2 Pages

    ...ave to face responsibility for his death. Thus, he leaves Juliet alone in a vault filled with dead ancestors, as well as recently dead Romeo and Paris, and she kills herself.

    Read More

  • The Role of the Friar in William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet

    1029 Words  | 3 Pages

    The forbidden wedding of Romeo and Juliet could not have happened without the Friar. First of all, the Friar impulsively agreed to marry Romeo and Juliet, even though he knows it will cause later problems. In the beginning, the Friar thinks that "...this alliance may so happy prove; To turn your households' rancor to pure love." (II iv 91-92) Which shows that the Friar has a slight hope of their marriage possibly working. Consequently, at first, he shows no reluctance to marry the two controversial lovers. However, as time moves on, the Friar lets on that he has regrets about the marriage. The Friar feels that "Too swift arrives as tardy as too slow." (II vi 15) In other words, the Friar means that he senses that this whole wedding is happening too fast and he radiates a feeling of second thought. If the Friar had thought this crucial decision through he may have prevented many future tragedies. Accordingly, the Friar knows all along that "These violent delights have violent ends" (II vi 9) The Friar knows that this is an impossible situation, which if made possible by himself will without a doubt end up in tragedy in one way or another. Under these conditions, as the Friar predicts, Romeo sinks into a deep depression, as a result of the fact that he cannot see his wife. Romeo has a one-track mind that is focused on something he cannot have. Similarly, Juliet becomes depressed and is grieving over the reality of her and Romeo's separation. Without the Friar the two lovers would not have been married, which would have prevented both of these depressions and future problems to come.

    Read More

  • Romeo and Juliet Responsibility

    819 Words  | 2 Pages

    In the play Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare, it is clear that Friar Laurence causes Romeo and Juliet’s deaths. First, the Friar was not as responsible as Romeo needed him to be especially when he agreed to marry him and Juliet without thinking it through. Secondly, he put Romeo and Juliet, among others, in danger with his uncertain plans. Lastly, he had other priorities when he married Romeo and Juliet which caused poor judgment to cloud his decision. While he did not plan to kill them, his actions landed them dead. In conclusion, if he had not acted so rash and irresponsibly, Romeo and Juliet would still be alive along with others who died in the destructive pathway that was Romeo and Juliet’s relationship.

    Read More

  • Play: Romeo and Juliet, by William Shakespeare

    1163 Words  | 3 Pages

    Romeo and Juliet: the story and characters that define “teenage love” and tragedy. But were the tragic misunderstandings and mishaps truly their fault? A question that has risen many a time has now been made the topic of this essay; who is really at fault for the unfortunate death of the 2 most deep lovers? Through pathetic fallacy for effect, foreshadowing, and an insightful prologue, Shakespeare gives us a preview of what was going to become of the two troubled lovers. Many characters can be held guilty for their death in various indirect ways, such as the Nurse, Capulet, Tybalt or even Romeo himself. However, can Friar Lawrence be counted in as well? In Shakespeare’s play, Romeo and Juliet, Friar Lawrence plays a very significant role as a priest of the St. Francis Church and who the children trusted completely. Shockingly, in this play of tragedy, Friar Lawrence has the bigger hand in the death of the two star-crossed lovers through means rash and hasty decisions. There are many sources of evidence proving the Friar indirectly responsible for the fate of the children, through the “much appreciated” help he has provided to the children to finally be together. However, without the Friar the children would have nobody to support their love and decisions, due to the deadly family feud between the Montagues and the Capulets. In hopes of solving the decade old dispute with no meaning, the Friar, without giving his decisions much thought, helped the children in their desperate spirit to be married and live a happy life together. Would someone consider him unaware of the intensity of the present family conditions? Or...

    Read More

  • Friar Lawrence is to Blame in Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet

    1003 Words  | 3 Pages

    In Shakespeare's play, Romeo and Juliet, Friar Laurence has a major role. As a member of the Order of St. Francis, a group of wise and generous priests, Romeo and Juliet trusted Friar Laurence completely, turning to him for advice, and solutions. He was there throughout Romeo’s and Juliet's lives; he married them, came up with a plan to keep them together, and was a friend throughout their tragedies. However, Friar Laurence’s rash action in marrying Romeo and Juliet, his shortsighted plan for rescuing Juliet from an unwanted marriage to Paris, and his fear of committing sin all contributed to the deaths of Romeo and Juliet.

    Read More

  • Romeo and Juliet Essay

    617 Words  | 2 Pages

    Albert Camus points out that for some people, it is easier for them to take their own life, than it is to continue living an empty one. This is the case for the star-crossed lovers, Romeo, and Juliet, in William Shakespeare’s play, Romeo and Juliet. Although there were multiple contributing factors to the suicides of Romeo and Juliet, Friar Laurence is directly responsible for their deaths. He is responsible because he trusted someone other than himself to deliver the letter to Romeo, he gave Juliet the potion, and left when Romeo and Juliet were in danger at the tomb.

    Read More

  • The Role of Friar Laurence in Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare

    750 Words  | 2 Pages

    The Role of Friar Laurence in Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare Throughout history, never has there been a piece of literature as well known for its tragic end as that of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet. Although many factors contribute to the grief and misfortune that this play represents, human actions play the principal role in the final outcome. At first glance, one may look at the character of Friar Laurence, dismissing him as only a minor player in the plot. However, upon closer examination, it becomes obvious that the Friar plays an essential role in the development of the play and, although has good intentions, is responsible for the deaths of Romeo and Juliet.

    Read More

  • Romeo and Juliet who is to blame?

    767 Words  | 2 Pages

    The forbidden wedding of Romeo and Juliet could not have happened without the Friar. First of all, the Friar unwisely agreed to marry Romeo and Juliet, even though he knows it will cause later problems. In the beginning, the Friar thinks that "...this alliance may so happy prove/ To turn your households' rancor to pure love." (II iv 91-92) This shows that the Friar has a slight hope of their marriage possibly working. Therefore, he decides to marry the two lovers. However, as time moves on, the Friar lets on that he has regrets about the marriage. The Friar feels that "too swift arrives as tardy as too slow." (II vi 15) In other words, the Friar means that he senses that this whole wedding is happening too fast and starts to have second thoughts. If the Friar had thought this important decision clearly through, he may have prevented many future tragedies. Therefore, the Friar knows all along that, "These violent delights have violent ends." (II vi 9) The Friar knew that this is an impossible situation, which if made possible by himself will without a doubt end up in tragedy in one way or another. Under these conditions, as the Friar predicts, Romeo sinks into a deep depression; as a result of the fact that he cannot see his wife. Similarly, Juliet becomes depressed and is grieving over the truth of her and Romeo's separation. Without the Friar the two lovers would not have been married, which would have prevented both depressions and future problems to come.

    Read More

  • Who is to Blame in Romeo and Juliet?

    828 Words  | 2 Pages

    Friar Laurence's immature actions make him part of the tragedy. For one, he married Romeo and Juliet. When told that Romeo loves Juliet, Friar replies, "Holy Saint Francis, what a change is here! /Is Rosaline, that thou didst love so dear, /so soon forsaken? Young men's love then lies/ not truly in the hearts, but in their eyes," (II, III, lines 66-69). In these lines, Friar admits that Romeo is only lusting for Juliet. Being the adult, Friar shouldn't have married Romeo until he found true love. However, the Friar was immature and married them anyways. Then, Friar came up with the idea for Juliet to fake death. Juliet is distressed about Romeo being banished so Friar comes up with the plan saying, "Hold, then. Go home, be merry, give consent/ to marry Paris. Wednesday is tomorrow,” Juliet is then suppose to "Take thou this vial, being then in bed/ And this distilling liquor drink thou off." After being buried and awakened, "Shall Romeo bear thee hence to Mantua." (IV, I, Lines 90-119). This bad advise, to give a girl a drink like death and tells her to run away, is only one of many immature actions Friar takes. Finally, Friar did not stay with Juliet after she frantically woke up, in a tomb, next other diseased husband who was supposed to run away with her to Mantua. Inste...

    Read More

  • Character Profile of Friar Lawrence

    688 Words  | 2 Pages

    Despite his conscience, Friar Lawrence reveals a potion that will put Juliet to a false death, in the “Potion Plan” scene. His motivation was caused by the weeping and tears of Juliet who was in the hands of a twisted marriage against her will. She had already been married to her love, but now that promise was in danger of being broken. From the few lines that the friar speaks, the audience realizes that this friar is certainly not the stereotype friar that goes around trying to live an impossible life of perfection.

    Read More

  • Holding The Attention Of The Audience In Othello

    1310 Words  | 3 Pages

    Topic 4: The playwright's primary task is to hold the audience's interest. Consider how this is achieved in Othello.

    Read More

  • Romeo And Juliet Research Paper

    797 Words  | 2 Pages

    Friar Laurence made many bad decisions when he was dealing with the two teenagers that he easily could’ve avoided. He trusted Juliet, an unbalanced teenage girl, with a poison that would assist her in faking her death. This decision was just one of many bad ones the friar made. Friar Laurence shows his negligence by saying “If / though has the strength of will to slay thyself/take thou this vial/no warmth, no breath shall testify thou livest;” (4.1.71,93,98) This quote shows the true neglegence of Friar Laurence’s responsibility, because he is instructing her to fake a suicide. Friar Laurence’s idea for Juliet is very misguiding, and for an adult, he should have considered what terrible things this decision could bring. Everyone thinks that Juliet is dead and shortly after, she is buried alive in the tomb. If Friar Laurence did not let Juliet drink the fake poison, she would have never been put in the situation that she was in, which leads her to her real death.

    Read More

  • Examine the role of Alfieri in A view from the bridge. Comment on

    1198 Words  | 3 Pages

    the role of a narrator. One role he takes on in the play is the voice

    Read More

More about title

Open Document