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...