Although Friar Lawrence’s intentions were good, his decisions and actions were the sole cause of Romeo and Juliet’s death. Do you agree? Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet is the story of two young lovers who fall for one another only to realise that due to the feud their families’ share their love is destined for destruction. With all good intentions the minor character, Friar Lawrence was one of, but not the complete cause of their tragic end. There are three dominant aspects of their deaths, the feud between the two families, Friar Lawrence and most importantly, fate.
He warned Romeo that “violent delights have violent ends and in their triumph die, fire and powder, which as they kiss, consume.” (2:6:9-11). Friar Lawrence had a feeling that the quick and hasty decisions that were made would not end well. However, he continued on to marry them, believing that their marriage would stop their parents’ feud. In addition, Friar Lawrence gave Juliet the idea of faking her death and saying, “…take thou this vial, being then in bed…” (4:5:93). He suggested the plan of killing herself, which led to Romeo committing suicide due to the death of Juliet.
This is highlighted when the Friar succumbs to the desires of the young lovers, “you two shall not be alone, till holy church incorporate two in one”. By permitting the two to wed, Friar Lawrence’s intentions may have been good, but he ultimately contributes to their “doomed” romance by not informing Romeo and Juliet’s parents of their marriage. In contrast to the bliss of the marriage, Romeo is soon banished for murdering Tybalt, where Friar Lawrence remains ignorantly optimistic that he can somehow help the two young lovers remain together. Through this episode Friar Lawrence still strives for the young lovers happiness in hope that all will come together, but he fails to see the destructiveness of Romeo and Juliet’s relationship, thus through lack of guidance can be held responsible for the continuance of their affair. This is further illustrated when Juliet is forced to marry Count Paris when Friar Lawrence presents her with an alternative, “I’ll give thee remedy”.
After Romeo soon learns about his banishment, he is told by Friar Laurence to go visit Juliet one last time; he responds by saying “It were a grief so brief to part with thee. Farewell.” (3.3.192-193). Thoughtless and stubborn, even though his “undying love” for Juliet affects him, Romeo does not realize that going to Juliet’s house can lead to dire consequences. To avoid these consequences, he could have left Verona immediately. During a tremendous argument between Juliet and her mother, Lady Capulet claims that Juliet must marry Paris, an innocent, charming man who wants to marry her, but she refuses and shouts, “ He shall not make me there a joyful bride…I will not marry yet; and when I do, I swear it shall be Romeo” (3.5.132-137).
Thomas 1 Graydon Thomas Mrs.Venturini ENG2D June 1st 2014 Unnecessary Suicide The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet, by William Shakespeare, is a romantic and suspenseful story enjoyable to all. Romeo and Juliet fall in love, later to find that they are enemies. They continue to practice their love secretly, until things become complicated, making suicide a choice. Their deaths were their own fault. Although their miserable ending could’ve changed into a happily ever after.
Human weakness was the reason that caused most of the events that then played a part in their deaths to occur. The most notable human weakness displayed in the play Romeo and Juliet was Romeo and Juliet's love for each other. Although other events and characters played an important role throughout the play that contributed to the suicides of Romeo and Juliet, it was the love that they shared with each other in a short amount of time that caused them to think that they would rather be dead than to be separated from and live without each other. It is both human error and human weakness that contributed to the fate that both Romeo and Juliet
After hearing of Romeo’s banishment and being forced to marry Paris in the upcoming days, Juliet rushes to the Friar for advice. Although betraying Juliet, the Nurse’s decision to side with Lady Capulet was probably one of the smartest choices in the play. Unlike the Friar, the Nurse realized how outcome of Romeo and Juliet’s marriage could end badly. The Friar continues his irresponsible and childish actions by conjuring up a plan and potion in a matter of minutes. “Friar Lawrence, less ambitious and more desperate than his fellow manipulators, does not hope that Juliet’s death will dissolve the families’ hatreds but only that it will give Romeo and chance to come and carry her off” (Snyder).
But after her father yells at her and tells her if she doesn’t marry she’ll be kicked out of the house; she goes to Friar Laurence for advice. When Juliet takes the potion Friar Laurence gives her she has to think about it. This is something Romeo probably wouldn’t do. But love over comes her decision and she takes it. Nobody tells Romeo that it’s just a potion and Juliet’s not really died, he buys poison and goes to Juliet’s tomb.
He says, “Th’exchange of thy loves faithful vow for me.” (act 2 scene 2 line 127) When he says ‘Th’exchange of thy loves faithful vow’, he is referring to exchanging wedding vows, getting married. He was too hasty in wanting to get married and rushed into it without thinking it through. He should have waited until she was older, and they could have been better off, and it would have been easier. Also, when Juliet is ‘dead’, Romeo notices that she has colour in her cheeks and that she has red lips, as if the were living. He says, “death that hath sucked the honey of thy breath, hath no power yet upon thy beauty.’ (act 5 scene 3 lines 92-93) And ‘why art though yet so fair?’ (line 102) he means that even though she is dead, she is still beautiful and he even looks at her again and asks why she looks so good.
The feud between the two families keeps the star-crossed lovers from being with each other. Juliet knows there is a connection between her and Romeo. She has no doubt in her mind that they are not right for each other. Juliet tells Romeo that if he truly loves her then to send their wedding arrangements to her. Romeo sends the place and time of their wedding to Juliet.