Romeo and Juliet: Friar Laurence is to Blame In Romeo and Juliet, Friar Laurence plays a major role in the deaths of the pair. The Friar is a member of the Order of St. Francis, a group of wise and generous priests, Romeo and Juliet trusted Friar Laurence and his insight, turning to him for advice, and solutions. However, Friar Laurence’s rash decision in marrying Romeo and Juliet, his reckless plan for rescuing Juliet from an arranged marriage with Paris, and his fear of committing sin all added to the deaths of Romeo and Juliet. He was there throughout Romeo’s and Juliet 's lives; he married them, came up with a plan to keep them together, and was a friend throughout their tragedies. Friar Laurence, through his lack of good …show more content…
Even after Mercutio 's death and Romeo 's banishment, Friar Laurence did not see the destructiveness of Romeo and Juliet 's marriage. Instead, he continued to attempt to keep Romeo and Juliet together. The plan he concocted for this, however, was shortsighted, poorly thought out, and risky. Friar Laurence devised the plan in haste and in desperation because Juliet was there in the friar’s presence threatening suicide rather than marry Paris. “Unless thou tell me how I may prevent it. / If, in thy wisdom thou canst give no help, / Do but call my resolution wise, / And with this knife I 'll help it presently" (4.1.51-54). To appease Juliet, Friar Laurence gave her a potion to consume that would enable her to feign death, thereby averting marriage to Paris. He, meanwhile would send a note to Romeo informing him of the hoax that was being perpetrated on the Capulets and Paris, and asking Romeo to meet him at the graveyard where Juliet would greeted them alive and well. Unfortunately, the message never arrived. This was revealed when Friar John told Friar Laurence, " I could not send it, here it is again / Nor get a messenger to bring it thee" (5.2.14-15). Friar Laurence had not told the messenger the importance of the letter reaching Romeo. And, if Friar Laurence had followed the original agreement he made with Romeo: "Sojourn in Mantua; I 'll find out your man, / Every good hap to you that chances have" (3.3.168-170), Balthasar could have delivered the letter to Romeo. However, because of Friar Laurence’s shortsightedness and lack of a contingency plan, he doomed those he tried