Friar Lawrence To Blame In Shakespeare's Romeo And Juliet

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Abby Carbonneau Ms. Rechin English Honors 24 May 2023 Who is to blame?: Romeo and Juliet Romeo and Juliet, a tragedy by William Shakespeare, portrays the heartbreaking love story of individuals from rival households. Often referred to as "star-crossed lovers," they meet a tragic end by taking their own lives. Various characters contribute to the unfortunate outcome of the play. However, Friar Lawrence bears the most blame for the death of Romeo and Juliet due to his involvement in their hasty marriage, his agreement to marry Juliet and Paris, and his ill-conceived plan of faking Juliet's death. When Romeo approaches Friar Lawrence to be married, the Friar willingly agrees to their union, despite the known tension between the feuding families: …show more content…

Although, this is a fact unknown to her parents. Her parents go to Friar Lawrence to see them married: "I'll thy assistant be; For this alliance may so happily prove To turn your households' rancor to pure love" (Act 4, Scene 1). In Act 4, Scene 1, her parents seek Friar Lawrence's assistance in arranging the marriage, to which the Friar reluctantly agrees, stating, "You say you do not know the lady's mind. Uneven is the course; I like it not" (Shakespeare 4:1). Despite his reservations, Friar Lawrence overlooks Juliet's prior commitment to Romeo, putting Juliet in a complicated and undoubtedly stressful situation. His decision adds to the complexity of the situation and intensifies the …show more content…

Firstly, he willingly agrees to marry Romeo and Juliet despite their families' feuding and them still being young. Secondly, he agrees to marry Juliet and Paris, complicating the situation and worsening conflicts. Finally, he suggests the misguided plan of faking Juliet's death, which results in a miscommunication and Romeo's tragic decision to end his life. Friar Lawrence bears significant responsibility for the tragic deaths of Romeo and Juliet due to his irresponsible and ill-advised decisions. Their story serves as a reminder of how misguided actions and decisions can have a profound impact, underscoring the importance of thoughtfulness and wisdom when faced with complex