Comparing The Actions Of Friar Lawrence In William Shakespeare's Romeo And Juliet

In William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, the “star-crossed lovers” ultimately lose their lives because of the actions of Friar Laurence. Friar Laurence should be blamed for the deaths of Romeo and Juliet because of his irresponsibility. He is the one that married Romeo and Juliet. If Friar Laurence had established a backup plan in the first place, Romeo could have gotten the news. If Friar Laurence just told Romeo and Juliet's parents in the first place, they would not have had to hide anything. The reason the story moved in motion so fast at first is because Friar Laurence made the tragic mistake of marrying the lovers so early. “O, she knew well / Thy love did read by rote, that could not spell. / But come, young waverer, come, go with

The entire catastrophe would have turned out differently because the parents would know better than a 12 year old girl that thinks she knows everything. Friar Laurence even admits his fault: “I am the greatest, able to do least, / Yet most suspected, as the time and place / Doth make against me, of this direful murder. / And here I stand, both to impeach and purge / Myself condemnèd and myself excused” (5.3.232-236). In Act 4 Scene 1 Juliet is distraught and contemplating suicide after Romeo’s banishment, but instead of telling the mislead 12 year old’s parents, Friar Laurence proposes a plan for Juliet to fake her own death and get herself buried. This decision is so impulsive and rash that it is almost incomprehensible on how Friar Laurence thought this would turn out alright. In the beginning of the two lover’s relationship it is understandable why Friar Laurence did not tell Juliet’s parents; however as the story progressed, Tybalt was killed, Romeo was banished, and Juliet was suicidal. With all these bad things happening, it baffles me as to how Friar Laurence acted so negligent to the