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Max Kupka

Mrs. Woelke

ELA 9

10 December 2018

The Tragedy of Romeo And Juliet

In ​The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet​, by William Shakespeare, there is an apparent

relationship between Romeo and Friar Lawrence. The first person Romeo turned to for help and

guidance was the Friar. The actions taken by both of these characters down the line shape the

story and affect the lives of many other characters within the play. These relationships are so

powerful that they impact other people - and sometimes not in a positive way. Shakespeare

warps the play and the characters within ​Romeo and Juliet​ to reflect the actions of Romeo and

Friar Lawrence.

To start off, Romeo sets his and the Friar’s life into a complication by seeking out the

Friar to get married. Romeo bluntly inquires, “But this I pray / That thou consent to marry us

today” (Shakespeare 2.3.63-4). This immediately throws the whole relationship into a loop.

While Friar Lawrence had enjoyed a fatherly relationship with Romeo, he is now being asked to

do something more drastic. Not only is this on such a short notice, it is also illegal. Additionally,

the Friar agrees to the marriage but only, “To turn your households’ rancor into love”

(Shakespeare 2.3.90). So while he agrees to marry, it is only to reverse the family feud. Romeo

has put him in a tight position, and Lawrence cautiously agrees, but even he couldn’t know what

the final verdict would be, or who it would affect. So, the first simple action of asking a question

already has produced new problems.

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Additionally, the Friar marries the couple even though he knew the outcome was

unpredictable. Moments before the marriage commences, the prince, “The after-hours with

sorrow chide us not” (Shakespeare 2.6.2). Friar Lawrence is now very aware of the potential side

effects, and expresses his concern to Romeo. He has now put himself, Romeo, and Juliet into

deep trouble if they ever get caught. This could and did lead banishment, and eventually turned

to suicide. Additionally, the Friar swallows his pride and says, “Come with me, and we will

make short work” (Shakespeare 2.6.35). This is the pivotal point in the play where there’s no

going back. The couple has been wed without anyone’s knowledge, all do to the fact that Romeo

elected to ask the Friar to get them married. In conclusion, Romeo’s marriage to Juliet, organized

by Friar Lawrence, led to the downfall of the young couple.

Finally, while the Friar explains to Romeo that he is to be banished, he gives romeo false

hope in the fact that he might be able to return. Even while Romeo is complaining that, “exile

hath more terror in his look,” Friar Lawrence states, “for the world is broad and wide”

(Shakespeare 3.3.14-16). So while Romeo believes that there is no life outside Verona, the Friar

thinks he has hope, and can return soon. As the news of Juliet’s death reaches him by Balthasar,

Romeo inquires, “Hast thou no letters to me from the friar,” and when it is stated that there is no

news Romeo says, “Juliet, I will lie with thee tonight” (Shakespeare 5.1.31-6). Perhaps if the

Friar hadn’t given Romeo false hope, he wouldn’t have acted so drastically. Instead, instead of

letting Juliet live out her life, Romeo essentially kills both of them. So, due to Friar Lawrence

and Romeo’s short conversation before the banishment, the lives of many characters were put in

risk.
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To summarize, in ​The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet b​ y William Shakespeare, the actions

of Romeo and Friar Lawrence put the other characters in danger. If Romeo wasn’t so hasty in his

need to get married, and if the Friar didn’t comply, the play would have been completely

different. In an alternate universe, perhaps Romeo and Juliet could have lived happily ever after,

but for now, it’s quite the contrary.