Friar Lawrence in Romeo and Juliet Essay Example

Shakespeare’s romances, young love, and the injustices that come from acting upon intense emotions.  In Shakespeare's romantic tragedy, Romeo and Juliet, Friar Lawerence contradicts himself while representing unclear intentions.  He allows naive Romeo and Juliet to act on what they thought is fate.  For example, he engages with Romeo about marriage which results in agreeing to perform it himself and directly opposes his initial claims.  Also, Friar Lawrence took it upon himself to stay in touch with Romeo after his exile but manages to fail to get the letter that updates Juliet's status before it is too late.   Lastly, Friar Lawrence dramatizes Juliet’s choices at the end and encourages her to look to himself for the answer instead of looking at the big picture.   Friar Lawrence’s bad judgment and conflicting intentions make him blame for the deaths of Romeo and Juliet.  

Friar Lawrence shows that he is to blame for the deaths at the end of the play because he agrees to marry Romeo and Juliet, even after being aware of the consequences that come with tying the bond.  Initially, Friar Lawrence brought up Rosaline as evidence of his original claim of immaturity towards Romeo.  This idea of immaturity and Romeo's insecurities comes from Friar's own belief which is that Romeo is “wedded to calamity” (3.3.3).  The Friar confidently ridicules Romeo and his relationship with Rosaline, but shortly after he acts as though he regrets his own decision, and pushes the blame towards Romeo.  This leads Friar to negate his role as the intelligent adult figure in Romeo’s life.  Friar Lawrence understands Romeo's intentions and is conscious about the feud.  On the other hand, his sentiment towards his decision to marry them is based on changing the dynamic of the “households' rancour to pure love”(3.3.91-92).  Friar Lawrence is foolish to think he can change the hearts and minds of the Capulets and Montagues by a forbidden marriage.  By accepting a marriage request between Romeo and Juliet, Friar Lawrence ultimately initiates the events that lead to both the newlyweds' deaths.       

Friar Lawrence is responsible for the deaths at the end of the play because he did not adequately fulfill his responsibility to deliver the letter to Romeo.  Friar promises Juliet that Romeo would be aware of what is happening and the details of the plan they discuss as she sleeps.  He instructs Friar John with the burden of carrying this information and the lives of both Romeo and Juliet.   Friar fails to mention the severity and consequences that may come with the failure to deliver this letter.  As a result of his carelessness a series of “unhappy fortune” will come and “do much danger.”(5.2.17-20).  While Friar John is unaware of this possible devastation, Friar Lawrence understands Romeo’s predictable actions.  However, Friar did not arrive at Juliet’s tomb fast enough to prevent a foreseen act of suicide.  As a result of Friar's failure to anticipate Romeo's actions and his irresponsible notion towards delivering the letter, the deaths are due to his blatant negligence.          

Friar Lawrence deserves the credit for both deaths after he manipulated Juliet into following his plan to rid her of Pairs, despite her concerns.  Juliet is vocal about how she feels about drinking the potion and her fears revolving around it.  Friar Lawrence creates a reality where this is her only choice.  He makes her feel that risking her life is the only way to avoid marrying Paris and reunite with Romeo.  Friar directs Juliet to “take thou this vial” once “in bed” and then “drink thou off”. (4.1.93-94)  Before Juliet takes the bottle she hesitates and thinks about Friar’s intentions.  Still, Juliet follows through and consumes the potion.  The friar pressures Juliet by consistently mentioning her fate if she were to not drink the potion.  Juliet is impressionable and when this became her only option, she took it.  Regardless of Friar's morals preventing him from tainting the potion, he manages to lead her in a direction where she feels trapped and helpless.  The Friar preys on Juliet when she is at her weakest point and gives her a tragic option that only reflects on the type of person he is.  Friar Lawrence sets forth the pivotal actions that happen for Romeo and Juliet to die.  

Friar Lawrence is found at each scene that develops Romeo and Juliet’s tragic ending.  The Friar sets off the chain of events when he agrees to marry the lovers.  Undoubtedly, as an adult figure in Romeo and Juliet’s lives, he should have been more mature with his decision instead of instigating their relationship.  Friar put himself in a situation where Juliet was relying on him to deliver the letter to update Romeo.  This abstinence in communication between Romeo and the Friar causes Romeo to sacrifice his life because he could not bear to be without Juliet.  Friar takes advantage of the vulnerability of Juliet and sets her up to risk her life in a poorly thought-out plan.  Friar Lawrence repeatedly reveals that he is manipulative and full of contradictions, yet Romeo and Juliet view him as whimsical, compassionate, and trustworthy.  It is important to consider that even though he is perceived in a certain way, people can still possess conflicting intentions that in this case thrive Juliet and Romeo to make choices that they can’t take back.