The Fault in Our Friars Romeo and Juliet, the infamous star-crossed lovers. The tragedy that is their love story is well known. A romance defined by secrets, taboo, and death captures the eye and heart of many. In Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare, the two children of rival families meet, fall in love, get married, and die all within the span of four days. Friar Lawrence, who married them and advised the couple, is responsible for the disastrous results of the play because his hidden agenda, poor planning skills, and lack of concern for Romeo and Juliet’s safety lead to their untimely deaths. The Friar’s ulterior motives drive him to make decisions that bring harm to Romeo and Juliet. He believes that the couple are not truly, deeply in love with each other, but still agrees to marry them in hopes that the marriage will unite the feuding families. He asks Romeo, “Is Rosaline, whom thou didst love so dear, / So soon forsaken? Young men’s love then lies / Not truly in their hearts, but in their eyes” (A2.S3.66-68). Despite reaching the conclusion that Romeo loved Juliet shallowly, he still went on with the marriage. His reasoning was “In one respect [he’ll] thy assistant be, / For this alliance may so happy prove / To turn [their] households' rancor to pure love” (A2.S3.90-92). The only reason he agreed to marry …show more content…
When Juliet wakes and finds Romeo dead, Friar Lawrence arrives, sees the carnage and tries to get Juliet to leave, but she refuses to go. He hears movement and says,“Stay not to question, for the watch is coming. / Come, go, good Juliet. I dare no longer stay,” and then promptly abandons her (A5.S3.158-159). He cares more about not being caught by the watchman than he does Juliet’s safety. He leaves an emotional and rationally compromised young girl alone without a second thought. His cowardice causes him to flee without Juliet, and because there is no one to stop her, she kills