Safa Salman
5/22/17
English 2nd hour
Friar Lawrence Character Analysis
Throughout time, tragedy has shown a solid connection to romance and love. In William Shakespeare's play, “Romeo and Juliet” demonstrates that. Romeo and Juliet’s attempt of a forbidden wedding suddenly leads to their death. Friar Lawrence played a vital role in facilitating the lovers’ marriage. Friar Lawrence presents himself as a holy man (“Friar” means a member of any of certain religious orders of men) who has an impeccable knowledge on medicine and plants. The Friar, is an elderly loving man who lounges in a long brown robe with a necklace that has a long cross on it. Friar acts as a medium for the Montagues, Capulets, and the nurse. When Romeo asks him about a potential marriage ceremony, he agrees to set it up quickly in secrecy, even though he accuses Romeo of having just a physical attraction towards Juliet. He also promises Romeo that he will try to devise a plan to reunite the two lovers after Romeo was banished from Verona. Despite many challenges, Friar Lawrence’s kindness and wiseness all while being secretive and negligent eventually leads to Romeo and Juliet’s death.
The Friar’s motive behind being kind and guiding the young lost lovers is to achieve peace between the feuding families. He says, “In one respect I’ll thy assistant be; / For this alliance may so happy prove. / To turn your households’ rancour to pure love.” (Shakespeare 2.3.87-88). He provides impartial advice to Romeo and Juliet and acts as their confidante. When Romeo slays Tybalt, Lawrence allows him to stay in his cell for the night until order is restored. Romeo travels to Mantua, as he is exiled from Verona for the death of Tybalt. When Juliet’s father forces her to marry Paris, she comes to the Friar for some guidance. He presents a solution, “Take this vial being then in bed/ and this distinct liquor during thou off/ when presently through all thy veins shall run a cold and drowsy humor/ For no pulse shall keep this native progress, but surcease” (Shakespeare 4.4. 93-97) Friar offers to create a potion that will make her sleep for 42 hours straight, putting her in a lifeless pose to postpone the wedding and await Romeo’s return to Verona.
Friar Lawrence also has a tendency to be very caring and fatherly.
“These violent delights have violent ends
And in their triu...
