Friar Lawrence's Arrogance In Romeo And Juliet

Confidence is key, but arrogance will only set one back; this is evident in the actions of Friar Lawrence throughout The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet. Friar Lawrence is a neutral, wise, and overconfident man. He hopes to end the feud between the Capulets and Montagues by marrying Romeo and Juliet. Nevertheless, his numerous actions in trying to unite Romeo and Juliet result in the death of both of them. In The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet, William Shakespeare demonstrates that Friar Lawrence’s tragic flaw is his hubris through his plan of marrying Romeo and Juliet, his helping Juliet fake her death to escape her family, and his overconfidence in his plan for Romeo. The quick planning of Romeo and Juliet’s secret marriage demonstrates Friar Lawrence’s tragic flaw of hubris. Romeo speaks to Friar Lawrence about marrying Juliet; Friar Lawrence swiftly responds, “In one

Juliet talks to Friar Lawrence about her issues with Paris. Friar Lawrence energetically makes a sleeping potion and tells Juliet to “Take thou this vial, being then in bed, and this distilled liquor drink thou off, when presently through all thy veins shall run a cold and drowsy humor, for no pulse.” (Shakespeare.IV.i.94-97). Friar Lawrence takes no time to wonder about the other potential solutions to escaping the wedding. Friar Lawrence giving Juliet the vial shows his hubris as he thinks he can control the situation. The following morning, chaos abrupts due to Juliet appearing dead and the Nurse finding her body, exclaiming, “Orne, 0me! My child, my only life, Revive, look up, or I will die with thee!- Help, help! Call help.” (Shakespeare.IV.v.19-21). Friar Lawrence did not tell Juliet of the possible reaction of her family. Friar Lawrence caused more issues by having the death faked. Friar Lawrence bit off more than he could chew by poorly planning to help Juliet make her