How Does Lawrence Create Hatred In Romeo And Juliet

“These violent delights have violent ends [a]nd in their triumph, die like fire and powder,” said Friar Laurence, in William Shakespeare’s The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet, before he married the two lovesick protagonists of the play (954). The two main families of the play share the same status of wealth and also express hatred for each other. The Capulets and Montagues are very wealthy and powerful and have sustained an ancient feud. This hatred causes much violence throughout the play, as the prologue interprets, “ . . . [f]rom ancient grudge break to new mutiny [violence]” (Shakespeare 901). The first protagonist, Romeo Montague, had been in love with a nun (Shakespeare 908). The nun, Rosaline, “forsworn to love [anyone]” (Shakespeare 909).

Friar Laurence ignores his concerns about Romeo’s desire to marry Juliet (Shakespeare 943-945). Friar Laurence thinks it is unwise but marries them the next day (Shakespeare 943-955). Like Juliet, if Friar Laurence had been more stern, the marriage would have slowed preventing much conflict. Friar Laurence overlooks Juliet’s instability (Shakespeare 991-992). Juliet would “ . . . leap, rather than marry Paris, [f]rom off the battlements of yonder tower . . . “. Friar Laurence neglected the seriousness of such a threat and replied, “Hold, then. Go home, be merry, give consent [t]o marry Paris . . . “ (Shakespeare 992). Friar Laurence develops unnecessarily complicated plans for Juliet (Shakespeare 992-94). His plan was thirty-two lines long and included: consent to marry Paris; lie in bed alone; drink the sleeping potion—meanwhile, Friar Laurence will disclose the plan to Romeo; and, last, Juliet will wake up in the Capulet’s tomb and will ride with Romeo to Mantua (Shakespeare 994). Instead of feigning her death, Juliet could have fled to Mantua. Friar Laurence’s self-appointed messenger does not deliver the important message to Romeo. Friar John prioritized helping the sick over the delivery of Friar Laurence’s message (Shakespeare 1012-13). Friar Laurence did not emphasize the letter’s importance, exclaiming that “ . . . neglecting [the letter] [m]ay do much danger” (Shakespeare 1013). Romeo would have received the letter, debunking his reason to commit suicide. Likewise, Friar Laurence allows Juliet to commit suicide by leaving her alone with her dead husband (Shakespeare 1017-18). Friar Laurence heard a noise and left Juliet and the tomb (Shakespeare 1017). Juliet then killed herself saying, “This is thy sheath; there rust and let me die.” (Shakespeare 1018). The tragedy could have been salvaged—Juliet would have lived “ . . . [a]mong a sisterhood