Sometimes in life, things fall into place, while they don't at other times. In Romeo and Juliet, by William Shakespeare, Romeo and Juliet fall in love and attempt to maintain their relationship despite all odds. The reader meets Friar Laurence when Romeo asks him to marry him and Juliet. Shakespeare presents Friar Laurence as a holy man, trusted and respected by the other characters. Since he is the only priest in town, everyone goes to him for confession and marriage. Friar's role as a friend and advisor to Romeo and Juliet highlights the conflict between parents and their children. The Friar uses formal language, rhymes and proverbs to Romeo to stress the need for caution. Through Friar Lawrence, Shakespeare conveys a theme of open mindedness paired with recklessness portrayed in Friar's ability to defy the odds in his society and adapt to situations and people.
Shakespeare describes Friar Laurence as a peaceful and hopeful character, putting him in a unique position between the two rival families. Readers particularly see his hopefulness as he agrees to marry a Montague and a Capulet. Furthermore, by only having one priest, Friar is important to the citizens of his town, as they rely on him for confession and advice. During the time period, marriages were typically arranged; however, when Romeo asks Friar to perform a wedding of his own choice. Friar responds as follows: "But come, young waverer, come, go with me, /In one respect I'll thy assistant be" (2. 3. 89-90). Shakespeare demonstrates Friar's ability to defy the odds of his society by creating him as a character who puts a predominance on love and peace. "For this alliance may so happy prove/To turn your households' rancor to pure love" (2. 3. 91-2). Closely related, peace is inseparable to love and in this, the Friar hopes for a solution between the feud of the families.
Furthermore, Friar's hopefulness is demonstrated throughout the relationship of Romeo and Juliet. Since the two have a father-son like relationship, Romeo goes to Friar when the Prince banishes him for killing Tybalt, a Capulet and Juliet's cousin. In Act Three, Scene Three, Friar Lawrence tries to make Romeo see the positive side of his banishment: "Hence from Verona art thou banishd. /Be patient, for the world is broad and wide" (3. 3. 15-16). Readers see the Friar's hopefulness and his propensity to adapt. Romeo expresses his emotions, "There is no wo...
