Friar Lawrence's Soliloquy Analysis

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“Two opposed kings encamp them still In man as well as herbs”. In the play Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare, Friar Laurence’s soliloquy expands upon the idea of of plants and herbs relating to themes and characters in the play. Friar Laurence's soliloquy foreshadows to the end of the play, and death of Romeo and Juliet In the soliloquy Friar Laurence compares flowers to characters in the play, he touches on the concept of any emotion becoming dangerous if they are extreme. The Friar proclaims “For naught so vile that one the earth doth live, But to the earth some special good doth give;Virtue itself turns vice, being misapplied, And vice sometime's by action dignified” (2.3.17-21). the Friar is foreshadowing the actions of many acting upon strong emotions. Including romeo climbing into Juliet's garden after just meeting her, knowing full well, she was a Capulet and what trouble it could cause for him. It is detrimental the audience realizes that this is foreshadowing to the end of the play, Romeos extreme love for Juliet disrupts his thinking and causes their fatal outcome. Tybalts …show more content…

The Friar Laurence states this as “ In plants, herbs, stones, and their true qualities: For naught so vile that on the earth doth live But to the earth some special good doth give; Nor aught so good but, strain'd from that fair use, Revolts from true birth, stumbling on abuse.” Friar Laurence means by this that while some plants can be used for medicinal purposes they can also be used as poison if mishandled, creating fatal outcomes. The Friar did not misuse any herbs or plants, but his power he did. He knew that marrying Romeo and Juliet would be dangerous, but he went through with it because he thought it could end the fued. The outcome of the Friars abuse of power did turn out to be fatal and Friar Laurence is the driving force behind Romeo and Juliet's