Friar is Not Neutral In Romeo and Juliet, Friar Lawrence is a key character since he is partly responsible for the death of Romeo and Juliet by providing them assistance; making him a character that is not neutral in the story. Friar Lawrence hesitantly agrees to marry the couple after advising Romeo that these “violent delights have violent ends” therefore asking the couple to “love moderately” (II. vi. 9/14). He understands that this marriage is based upon an impulsive decision made by the couple since he knows how Romeo reacts to love.
He later, then sneaks onto Juliet’s balcony where he openly tells her that he is in love with her. Juliet warns him saying that if anyone were to find him there, he would be killed. But, Romeo being the stubborn boy he is, replies with “And but thou love me, let them find me here.” and decides to risk his life for a girl he barely knows. He then impulsively asks for her hand in marriage “Thy exchange of thy love’s faithful vow for mine.” (Act II, ii, 124) based on the romantic emotions he was feeling at the moment. This was careless and senseless of Romeo to do, as a couple of hours ago he was “in love” with Juliet’s cousin Rosaline.
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.
The Friar agreed to secretly marry them, which was not wise. He knew that the marriage would not be right but married them to “turn (their) household’s rancour to pure love.” This action may have been well wishing, but it was wrong to get Romeo and Juliet married. Instead, he should have told the parents. This might have resulted in Romeo and Juliet not meeting again, but it could have also resulted in them eventually getting married. In either case, no-one would have died.
William Shakespeare establishes Benedick’s character by using diction and imagery to show his changed viewpoint on marriage. Benedick is strongly opinionated and rarely ever let’s his guard down when it comes to feelings or love. After he overhears that Beatrice is in love with him, he ponders what to do. The characterization is established through diction, “And wise, but for loving me; by my troth it is not addition to her wit, nor no great argument of her folly, for I will be horribly in love with her!” (II.3.235-237). He is saying that is might not be wise for loving him, but he swears it won’t be stupid for he is going to be “horribly” in love with her.
Juliet came to Friar Laurence in hoping there was a way to stop the wedding, and he proposed a very risky idea, “If, rather than to marry County Paris, Thou hast the strength of will to slay thyself, Then is it likely thou wilt undertake A thing like death to chide away this shame,” (Shakespeare, 911). His idea was unexpected because priests are known for their honesty and leadership, but Friar Laurence didn’t conduct himself well. He should know better than to encourage an obviously melodramatic lover to drink poison. He can’t trust an immature teenager to handle a plan like that. He thinks it’s the only way out, but didn’t think through other options.
Friar Lawrence: Unnoticed Importance In the play Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare, many secondary characters play an essential role in the play. Friar Lawrence is one of the most important secondary characters in the play. He marries Romeo and Juliet, helps Romeo and Juliet grow in their love for one another, and eventually helps end the feud between the Capulets and the Montagues. He helps the characters in the play grow in a way they would not have on their own. Friar Lawrence affects the action of Romeo and Juliet by marrying Romeo and Juliet, helping Romeo escape Verona safely, and helping them reunite by giving Juliet a sleeping potion to fake her death.
Shakespeare created 2 star-crossed who struggle to find balance with their love without upsetting those around them who disapprove. The play focuses on their love along with others around them that affect their everyday lives. This issue leads to future problems that surface in the play such as their own deaths. Those around Romeo and Juliet are to blame for their suicides.
Romeo also implies he feels something bad is going to happen which will ultimately end in his death. 5,1,6 “I dreamt my lady came and found me dead” dramatic irony is found in this quote as Shakespeare was trying to hint the audience that something bad is going to happen. In conclusion, disobeying authority or it can have bad results is an important theme of Romeo and Juliet. Nevertheless, authority is not the main message, love and fate are as important as
This quote tells me that this is not Friar Laurence’s fault because he may have helped Romeo along but he was not the person who did the actions that caused the eventual death of Romeo and Juliet. He may have been naïve to marry them but he wasn’t the one who got married. If Friar Laurence refused, would Romeo have not married Juliet? I think not, Romeo was to in love to not have gotten married and if Friar Laurence refused he could have done something even more impulsive. I think Friar Laurence was trying to get the best out of this situation and advise them through it.