Romeo And Juliet Who's To Blame Analysis

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Who is to blame? By John Magee Romeo and Juliet is one of the most controversial and enduring stories of forbidden love due to Romeo and Juliet’s passionate innocence and their tragedy. Their innocence comes from their age and infatuation, but the tragedy is surely the result of the self-serving, manipulative and at times terrible judgment of Friar Lawrence. Romeo and Juliet’s love faced many obstacles, including a feud between their families, Juliet’s promised marriage to Count Paris, and their own youthful innocence. But if any one person is to blame for their tragic death that person is their most trusted advisor Friar Lawrence. From the beginning Friar Lawrence’s motives were to bring the two houses of Montague and Capulet together.…show more content…
Romeo’s trust in Friar Lawrence as his spiritual advisor is so pure he forgets any thoughts of potential regret. By the end of this interaction Friar Lawrence takes Romeo, and Juliet who has joined them, and insists on marrying them quickly, using the excuse that they cannot be trusted alone with their passion. “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, 6, 35) Blinded by their own infatuation, Romeo and Juliet follow the lead of Friar Lawrence. He pushes them into a hasty secret marriage, without the knowledge or permission of their warring parents. This sets the stage for the secrets that create the tragedy to come. Unable to face the banishment for killing Tybalt, Romeo seeks the advice of Friar Lawrence who scolds him for his despair, “Hast thou slain Tybalt? Wilt thou slay thyself, and slay thy lady that in thy life lives by doing damned hate upon thyself?” (3, 3, 116,) then when Romeo is at his lowest, Friar Lawrence cheers him up, suggesting a comforting visit to his Juliet and then his escape. “Go, get thee to thy love, as was decreed. Ascend her chamber, and comfort her. But look thou stay not till the watch be set, for thou canst not pass to Mantua, where thou shalt live, till we an find a time, to blaze your marriage, reconcile your friends, beg pardon of the Prince, and call thee back with twenty hundred thousand times more joy.” (3, 3, 146) this is a shameful manipulation of Romeo, because Friar Lawrence is in no position to promise such a rosy
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