Venice

“Romeo and Juliet” : Loss of love, time and life through the actions of Friar Lawrence Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare shares the message of sacrifice, tragedy, friends, loyalty, secrets, and true love. Throughout the book there are series of events that lead up to the tragic death of Romeo and Juliet. Most people who read this book would agree that the actions of each character created a chain reaction leading up to both their deaths. If it comes down to pointing fingers, that’s where disagreement will occur on who’s fault it was, but I blame Friar Lawrence. He might have been trying to help, but in the end his actions led up to the death of Romeo and Juliet. Friar Lawrence had the most influential part of the death of Romeo and Juliet by ignoring rules, giving unreliable plans/suggestions, and not being aware of all the varying results that could occur. Friar was the guidance and help that both Romeo and Juliet both seek. He felt that he should help them, but along the way his guidance turned into consequential actions. He single-handedly planed the risky “fake death” of Juliet, with no reassurance Romeo would receive the letter, and tag along with the plan. “Take thou this vial,/ being then in bed and this distilling liquor drink thou off,/ When presently through all thy veins shall run a cold and drowsy humour,/ for no pulse.”(4.1.93-97). He suggested to Juliet that she should take the poison and die for forty-two hours. Everyone would have thought she was dead and by that time when she woke up she wouldn’t have to marry Paris, and Romeo would come to her rescue and they could be happily together, despite the family feud. Friar was trying to bring Romeo and Juliet closer together but at the same time he wasn’t thinking about the consequences of Romeo and Juliet’s death or the risks of someone getting hurt. Another way he brought them together was by marrying them. “Till Holy Church incorporate two in one”(2.6.36-37). When he married them he wasn’t thinking about the consequences/risks, due to the Montague and Capulet feud. He had much hope of ending this feud. He was thinking about the whole town, and not thinking about the negative effects on Romeo and Juliet for his action. “For this alliance may so happy prove to turn your households rancor to pure love” (2.3.91-92). Friar Lawrence had become blind, and was not looking at the whole picture of this situation. After Mercutio’s and Tybalt’s death , Friar did not see the destructiveness of the marriage he conjured up. “ Here form Verona art thou banished./ Be patient,/ for the world is broad a wide”. (3.3 15-16). For instance this shows that Friar is telling Romeo that his whole world is open even if he is banished. Friar did not realize that Romeo was banished because of him but he continued to give Romeo and Juliet risky plans. He didn’t plan these events and he was making things worse. The destructiveness he caused led to the death of Romeo and Juliet. Many people who read Romeo and Juliet will have opposing thoughts of my thesis. One might say that Friar was just trying to help or that it is Romeo and Juliet’s fault for accepting this plan and following along. Consequently it lead them to death and grieving pain of their loved ones. Obviously if it wasn’t for Friar suggesting this plan, they wouldn’t have anything to accept. Yes, Juliet did agree with the plan, but that means she wasn’t thinking for herself, just like Friar wasn’t think about the reactions/results for sharing his plan with them. Secondly another opposition might be that Friar Lawrence was being considerate and thinking of the whole town while he was marrying them. He had the best hope for Romeo, Juliet and the town by thinking if he married them, then the feud would end. In addition he wasn’t thinking about the consequences and results of what could happen if his imaginative plan didn’t work, which it didn’t. What if this caused a bigger feud between the two families' What if the town went into big disputes over this' These are question that Friar Lawrence wasn’t prepared to answer. He never had back-up plans, and his plans have been so unreliable that Romeo and Juliet should have known to trust their sudden instincts. Thirdly, another opposing argument might be that Friar made their lives better. Since Friar knew the chances of them living a happy life together were very slim, he decided that death was somewhere they could be together forever. But who was he to decide what was best for both of them' On the other hand, some might say he had the best intentions. Honestly, if it was meant to be they would find their own way. Friar was just interfering with their path and cornered them so that their only choice was death. These are some oppositions that could be made, but in summary Friar Lawrence was to blame. I have proved that Friar Lawrence is the one to blame for all of his actions. He is responsible for the death of Romeo and Juliet. The commentary of Shakespeare is comprehended as guidance taken to far and how your judgment for a loved one could be Inouye 4 clouded by your need to help. Since Friar was the man Romeo and Juliet came to seek for help, he felt the need to help them to the extent of anything. His needing to help blocked his judgment of what was reality, leaving a feuded captain, a grieving family, one less best friend and kinsmen, and an innocent death of two young, star-crossed lovers.