How Does Friar Influence Romeo And Juliet

While experiencing life everyone needs a person to look up to and call upon when help is needed. Especially in growing and learning years mentoring is highly valued because children and teenagers don’t have much experience of anything. Even though this help might not always be useful it is great to have someone you can go to for anything. In Shakespeare’s ultimate love story, Romeo and Juliet, Friar plays a major outside force. He is a companion to Romeo and a mentor to both sides. He influences the two “star-crossed lovers” heavily because of his constant overshadowing opinions and conflicting ideas. Although Friar’s intentions are good, his influence comes across as negative, due to the fact he continuously meddles, and his ideas give both Romeo and Juliet a very tragic outcome.

Friar’s questioning ability to play his role is proven early on when Romeo shows his promising trust in Friar by first introducing his love for Juliet in his cell. Romeo explains, “my heart’s dear love is set [on Juliet]” (2.3.58). This demonstrates that Romeo deems Friar trustworthy and helpful. Despite the fact Romeo was just head over heels for Rosaline, Friar still encourages this relationship. Friar tells Romeo that this relationship might “turn your households’ rancour to pure love” (2.3.95). Although Friar does show his support for this, he knows Romeo moves very fast-paced, so he goes about giving him advice extremely weakly. Before marrying the couple Friar explains, “These violent delights have violent ends” (2.6.9). This is him acknowledging that this relationship is likely to end in tragedy, but he does it anyways. Friar has shown he doesn’t care about the outcome he is more set on him being known as the