How can we understand Shakespeare's thoughts of the church in Europe through Romeo and Juliet? Romeo and Juliet is the story of two star crossed lovers (Romeo and Juliet) from families that have a long line of hatred toward each other. In this story, a priest named Friar Lawrence really influences the course of events between the two lovers and their families. Through this character, Friar Lawrence, we can get a glimpse of what Shakespeare thought of the church. Though this character we can see that shakespeare thought of the church as a positive force. Shakespeare clearly uses Friar lawrence to show that he thinks the church is always trying to do what is the correct, moral thing to do in his mind. Romeo and Juliet fall in love with out their parents consent. Romeo asks Friar to Marry them, even though Friar Lawrence knows both families will be outraged he says yes to it anyways because he knows it is the right thing to do. He also does it in the hopes of bringing the two families closer together. When asked to marry the young love birds he says “come, young waverer, come, go with me/ In one respect I’ll thy assistant be,/For this alliance may so happy prove/To turn your households' rancor to pure love.”(Act 2 Scene 3, Shakespeare) Shakespeare uses the character Friar …show more content…
His plans to bring the families together were foiled, Romeo had been banished from Verona, and Juliet was set to marry another man. He decides to bring the two lovers together again by having Juliet fake her death and by having Romeo come and save her. Friar says “this shall free thee from this present shame, / If no inconstant toy, nor womanish fear, /Abate thy valor in the acting it.” (Act 4 Scene 4 Shakespeare). Shakespeare shows that he thinks highly of the church because Friar Lawrence goes to great lengths to keep these lovers together because that is what he knows is the right thing to