Romeo and Juliet the Importance of Friar Lawrence
“In one respect Ill thy assistant be, that this alliance may so happy prove, to turn thy households rancor to pure love” (2.4, 93-95). With these words, Friar Lawrence began a long sequence of critical events that aid in the development the emotional story line of William Shakespeares moving love story, Romeo and Juliet. In this play Friar Lawrence played a highly important role. This essay will evaluate the importance of Friar Lawrence as he makes an impact in each of the three main sections of the play. He married the two lovers, gave them advice, and devised the plan that would ultimately lead to their demise. Without him, the story of Romeo and Juliet would be far different.
The forbidden wedding of Romeo and Juliet could not have occurred without the Friar. The Friar hesitantly agreed to marry Romeo and Juliet. He was against their being wed, but agreed to perform the ceremony because he believed that it would reunite the two rival families. At first the Friar says “… for this alliance may so happy prove to turn your households rancor to pure love” Which shows the reader that in the beginning he has some optimism of their marriage possibly working. (639) As the play proceeds, the Friar has regrets about the marriage. “Too swift arrives as tardy as too slow.” (II vi 15) He sensed that the whole wedding happened too quickly and exuded a feeling of second thought. If the Friar had thought this crucial decision through he may have prevented many future tragedies. The Friar knew all along that “These violent delights have violent ends” (II vi 9) The Friar knew that he was in an impossible situation, which if made possible by himself will without a doubt end up in tragedy in one way or another. Under these conditions, as the Friar predicts, Romeo sinks into a deep depression, as a result of the fact that he cannot see his wife. Romeo has a one-track mind that is focused on something he cannot have. Similarly, Juliet becomes depressed and is grieving over the reality of her and Romeos separation. Without the Friar the two lovers would not have been married, which would have prevented both of these depressions and future problems to come.
Friar Lawrence is responsible for several conflicts in this story. His biggest contribution was when he supported Juliet with her “death plan”. This situation came to be, as a result of the following events. Romeo and Juliet were at their lowest point of despair. Romeo was separated from his wife and exiled in Mantua and Juliet was expected to marry Paris. She needed an escape plan.