In Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, Friar Laurence plays a very important role. For one, he’s the sole figure of religion in the play. Also, he is an extremely controversial character in the sense that his intentions seem good but his actions say otherwise. And, for a Catholic friar, his mystical knowledge sure does seem out of place. All these ideas express why Friar Laurence is worthy of being the most significant and interesting character in this play. Friar Laurence occupies odd territory in Romeo and Juliet.
He seems like a kindhearted cleric by performing Romeo and Juliet’s marriage and generally giving the two good advice, especially in regard in the need for moderation. “Holy Saint Francis! what a change is here! Is Rosa line, that thou didst love so dear, So soon forsaken? young men’s love, then, lies not truly in their hearts, but in their eyes.” (Act II. Sc. iii. l. 66-69) But Friar Laurence is also the most scheming and political character in the play.
A good example of this is when he secretly marries Romeo and Juliet as part of a plan to end civil strife in Verona. “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 into pure love.” (Act II. Sc. iii. l. 92-95).
This plan seems not that of a friar, but more of a politician, which makes up his more devious and mischievous side. He also devises the plan to reunite Romeo and Juliet through the deceptive ruse of a sleeping potion. “Take thou this vial, being then in bed, And this distilled liquor drink thou off: When, presently, through all thy veins shall run a cold and drowsy humour; for no pulse.” (Act IV. Sc. i. l.
Theme of fate in Romeo & Juliet – GCSE coursework
Despite fate’s grasp on Romeo and Juliet being clear from the beginning, their choices in the play cause fate to build momentum and accelerate their lives to their inevitable end. Shakespeare’s original presentation of fate is of an inescapable event, but how the characters get there is less certain and more chance. Whereas Luhrmann’s fate is cruller and more controlling, but both interpretations ...
94-97) Even though the plan seems well conceived, it still fails and brings suspicion to the character of the Friar.
