Comparison Of Romeo And Juliet: Taking Mentorship With A Grain Of Salt

Millert 1
Ava Millert
Ms. Lloyd
English 9, Period 5
21 March 2023

Taking Mentorship With A Grain Of Salt
“Be patient, for the world is broad and wide” (3.3.17). The play Romeo and Juliet is set in Verona Italy in 1597, and shows the tragedy of a love story and the people and decisions they meet on the way. One of the problems that they face is that Juliet is a Capulet, and Romeo is a Montague. These two families have a long rivalry, and members from either side makes sure that once someone is born into that family, hate is what follows. Tybalt Juliet's cousin has a short temper, and hates Romeo with his guts. Paris desperately wants to marry Juliet, and her father encourages it, but Juliet is only interested in Romeo one of their rivals. Benvolio

This appears when Romeo is in Friar Laurence’s cell asking him to marry him and Juliet during Act Two, Scene Three. Although Friar isn’t just doing it out of the kindness of his own heart. He sees another opportunity that could change everything. Friar Laurence states “For this alliance may so happy prove To turn your households’ rancor to pure love” (2.3.98-99). In this situation Friar Laurence is using Romeo and Juliet’s love for his own benefit. He’s not thinking of the consequences this action could have and the people that can be effected by this. Not only is Friar a trusted person in the community going behind the two families backs, but he’s not thinking about the emotional tool this could have on Romeo. Romeo was just depressed and thinking that he will never have love again, and then he finds Juliet and falls in love. These huge emotions can have a big impact on a person, and possibly this love isn’t true because its the result of coping with his depression. A good mentor would have their mentee reflect on the situation a wait a bit to process all of these strong emotions. Although Friar just agreed to the marriage because he saw an opportunity in it. Another time in the play that shows poor mentorship is during Act Three, Scene Three when Romeo seeks Friar’s advice after he kills Tybalt on the street and escapes. Romeo is unhappy with the news of him being banished, but Friar sees this as being ungrateful and gets angry at Romeo. Friar Laurence declares “A pack of blessings light upon thy back; Happiness counts thee in her best array; But, like a misbehaved and sullen wench, Thou pouts upon thy fortune and thy love” (3.3.151-154). In this moment Romeo needed someone to comfort him and tell him that it would turn out ok, but Friar dosen’t give that to him. Instead he insults him and deems him as