Emilio Silvestre

02-14-23
P:1
Why Friar Lawrence is responsible for death of Romeo & Juliet

Friar Lawrence is a man of many things, he is the priest, potion brewer, but most of all he
is there to guide the lost. He may use his skills with god to spiritually help the needy or use his
knowledge in science to help those in pain. He has great intentions in what he does best, but his
best may not be enough to unite the forbidden lovers in life. Friar Lawrence is the most
responsible for the death of Romeo and Juliet because he prematurely united Romeo and Juliet
which eventually led to the need to propose a reckless plan in desperation.

Friar Lawrence doing what he does he prematurely weds Romeo and Juliet, believing that
by this he will end the rivalry between the montagues and the capulets. But even this was not the
right choice as he knew this marriage was risky, and did not fully guide Romeo which eventually
led to further consequences resulting in death.“Thy love did read by rote and could not spell. But
come, young waverer, come, go with me , In one respect I’ll thy assistant be: For this alliance
may so happy prove, To turn your households’ rancor to pure love.” This represents that Friar in
good faith was there to unite the young couple to resolve a long and problematic conflict. But he
ignored his job as a Priest, and should have slowed down Romeo and Juliet to let them realize
what it is to get married, and to realize that their love might not be complete.“Wisely and slow.
They stumble that run fast.”. Even for the standards of a Priest, one simple piece of advice for
Romeo isn’t enough to guide him through his situation. He needed step by step guidance to guide
the relationship.But this is said just as Romeo leaves which could have meant that he never heard
this piece of advice and questioned, so in a way Fair is at fault for not guiding Romeo through
the dangerous paths love presents with clarity. But his good intentions aren't enough to save
young Romeo and Juliet as later on the marriage led to Romeo and Juliet needing a way to unite
each other in person to escape their family’s conflict. But it did not result as planned.
 Friar Lawrence acted impulsively to save a troubled Juliet from herself with a plan that
was created under a few minutes in turn not only dooming Romeo to not know about the plan
and killing himself in front of a seemingly dead but alive Juliet. “Take thou this vial, being then
in bed, A cold and drowsy humor, for no pulse shall keep his native progress, but surcease. No
warmth, no breath, shall testify thou livest.” This demonstrates his actions in good faith are to
save Juliet from her own actions, but this plan of faking her death by drinking a fluid that can
actually kill her is very risky and reckless. Furthermore when this plan was acted upon there
should have been precautions or contingency plans if some of the steps went wrong. Romeo
returns to Verona to see a seemingly dead Juliet and kills himself and Juliet the same, after “I’ll
send a friar with speed to Montua with my letters to thy lord”- Friar Lawrence which led to “I
could not send it — here it is again —Nor get a messenger to bring it thee, So fearful were they
of infection.”- Friar John. Meaning that Romeo did not receive the letter. Also this encapsules a
part of the plan that went wrong as a result of the urgency and desperation that Friar had. Instead
Friar should have guided Juliet to think through the whole situation. In the end Friar should have
taken some time to make a better plan or a situation while guiding Juliet where both Romeo and
Juliet live.

Whilst Friar's good intentions to end the Capulet-Montague conflict are sincere his
actions in marrying the young lovers was risky, and uniting them later on was equally so is the
cause to the death of Romeo and Juliet. Friar is a man of good will and faith, all of his ideas and
plans such as ending the Montague x Capulet conflict by wedding Romeo and Juliet. But that’s
where the positive results end. His actions in marrying the lovers without guidance. Then
offering a reckless plan to save Romeo and Juliet are in vain as the plan failed and the lovers died
together in a tragic suicide.It all comes down to the fact that Friar was neglecting what was going
on and should have had a greater influence in the relationship before anything went wrong, but
he did not, in turn loosing the lives of two young lovers.