Friar Lawrence in Romeo and Juliet

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Brianna Ali World Literature Mrs. Ingoglia 13 May 2013 The Role of Friar Lawrence in Romeo and Juliet In spite of its many coincidences and references to heaven and stars, Romeo and Juliet, is not a tragedy of fate. Each character has the power of their own freewill. The tragedy of the play should be designated as the failure of human responsibility, or human error opposed to being than fate. The character that should be incriminated for this human error in Shakespeare’s, Romeo and Juliet, is Friar Lawrence. Friar Lawrence marries Romeo and Juliet, although he forebodes that such a hasty marriage has the potential to create a tragic outcome. He says, “These violent delights have violent ends and in their triumph die, like fire and powder, which, as they kiss, consume” (II.vi.9-11). The Friar not only makes this comment, but he also questions the superficial love that Romeo once had for Rosaline. “Is Rosaline that thou didst love so dear, so soon forsaken. Young men’s love then lies not truly in their hearts, but in their eyes” (II.iii.66-68). Despite these misgivings, Friar Lawrence chooses to marry Romeo and Juliet for his own pride and selfishness, because this marriage may be the ending of a feud between two families. In addition, Romeo and Juliet entrust in Friar Lawrence as a confidant, because he is a figure that is believed to be wise and generous. The lives of the two unstable teenagers are put into the hands of the Friar. Unfortunately, instead being supportive of them and encouraging them to disclose their relationship to each other’s families, he gives into the teenagers’ rash desires of eloping. The Friar did not affirm his plans by questioning that he could put more strain on the family’s long time feud, or that he is going behind the backs of two minors’ parents. Moreover, the marriage of Romeo and Juliet is the cause of the
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