Friar Lawrence In Shakespeare's Romeo And Juliet

What if Romeo and Juliet never died? What would have happened if these star-crossed lovers never got married? These events would have never happened without Friar Laurence and the Nurse. Friar Laurence influenced the many decisions and actions that Romeo did. This was the same with the Nurse and Juliet. Both Friar Laurence and the Nurse are quite important in the story of Romeo and Juliet because of their role as their father and mother figures to them.
In the case of Romeo, Friar Laurence was more of a father figure than his real parents. The Friar exhibits kindness to Romeo and treats him as if he was his son throughout the story. He also gives Romeo fatherly advice when he needs it most. “Wisely and slow. They stumble that run fast." (Shakespeare 2.4. 101). When Romeo wants to marry Juliet, Friar Laurence tells him to take

Even since an early age, the Nurse took care of Juliet as if she was her own daughter. “‘Tis since the earthquake now eleven years, / And she was weaned (I never shall forget it)” (Shakespeare 1.3. 25-26). The Nurse use to breastfeed Juliet when she was a child, which is what Lady Capulet should have been doing due to the fact that she is Juliet’s actual mother. Furthermore, The Nurse also cared more about Juliet’s happiness more than her own mother did. This can be seen when Lady Capulet is perturbed about the expenses that is to come with Juliet’s wedding with Paris. On the contrary, the Nurse is more concerned about Juliet’s happiness. Because of this, the Nurse sets up Romeo and Juliet’s wedding with Friar Laurence. “I and aweary. Give me leave awhile. / Fie, how my bones ache! What a jaunt have I!” (Shakespeare 2.5. 26-27). The Nurse is in actual pain because of all the running she had to do to set up the wedding at the friar’s cell. While Lady Capulet is sitting down doing nothing, the Nurse is moving around Verona and making Juliet’s life more