Friar Laurence: The Worst Shepard Ever Romeo and Juliet is the popular play written by William Shakespeare. It is one of the first stories of star-crossed lover. Within the play there is a clergy member and an on-the-side apothecary named Friar Laurence. He is a trusted advisor by many and a special friend to Romeo. He gives advice to Romeo and Juliet frequently throughout the development of the plot. However, while Friar Laurence’s intentions were all fairly for the better, he is to blame for the tragedy of Romeo and Juliet. Friar Laurence is to blame because he gave advice then went against it, concocted faulty plans, and didn’t listen to Murphy’s law. Friar Laurence was a trusted advisor but he could give some lacking advice. For example, …show more content…
Its an adage that states "things will go wrong in any given situation, if you give them a chance," or anything that can go wrong, will go wrong. It’s already been seen that there are many available slots in Friar Laurence’s plan for things to go sideways. So one would assume the Friar would not give them a chance. But Friar Laurence’s lack of effort in executing his plans completely ruined Romeo and Juliet. For example, when Friar John come back from his mail delivery, he tells Friar Laurence he wasn’t able to deliver the letter to Romeo because he was quarantined. Friar doesn’t realize the urgency of the situation, that Romeo could have somehow found out of Juliet's death or would no longer be able to be there when Juliet wakes up. He even says “Of dear import, and the neglecting it May do much danger” (Shakespeare Act 5, Scene 2, Lines 20-21). He know that there is danger but not the urgency. He should have gone to her tomb immediately, and sent Friar John to Romeo immediately instead of writing another letter. Later on, when Friar is explaining what happened to Romeo and Juliet, he says “But when I came, some minute ere the time Of her awakening” (Shakespeare Act 5, Scene 3, Lines 272-273). He only goes to Juliet’s tomb a few minutes before she wakes up. Disregarding the current situation he is in, he should have realized the potion might wear off earlier. Friar Laurence plans were not well thought, but they could have been saved if he put effort into