Who Is Friar Lawrence Responsible For The Death Of Romeo And Juliet?

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In The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet, romance is the main theme. Star-crossed lovers have a passionate love that results in their tragic deaths. In William Shakespeares’ The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet, Juliet is a Capulet, Romeo is a Montague. Despite the conflict between their families, Romeo and his friends attend a party at Juliet's House masked, and that is when they first fall in love and decide to get married. In an effort to calm the families long lasting feud, a friar secretly marries them which leads to the young lovers tragic deaths. In this case, Friar Laurence is most responsible for the couple Romeo and Juliets’ death because he was a reckless advisor and misleading. Although he tried to help the couple, his actions led to the young …show more content…

When Juliet's parents told her she must marry the County Paris, she ran to the friar for assistance. One of the reasons the friar agreed to help Juliet is because he wanted to help the two young lovers get together. “O, bid me leap, rather than marry Paris, from off the battlements of yonder tower, or walk in thievish ways, or bid me lurk” (IV.I.77-88). Juliet is saying that she would rather kill herself instead of marrying Paris. This makes Friar Laurence feel as if he has to help her. In Friar Laurences’ point of view, if he refused to help Juliet, he was letting her kill herself. However, it was Friar Laurences’ misleading plan that led to the lovers' deaths, which he did not intend. Despite this, if he never presented the idea of the potion, Romeo and Juliet might still be alive. Those who support the idea that Friar Laurence is not the most responsible are likely missing the fact that he left Juliet alone in a vulnerable position which allowed her to take her own life.“Stay not to question, for the watch is coming. Come, go, good on Juliet. I dare no longer stay”(V.iii.151-159). Friar Laurence offers to hide Juliet in a nunnery, but she refuses. He then leaves Juliet in the tomb with Romeo, who is dead. Due to Friar Laurences’ actions, Juliet was able to take her life. If not for Friars' carelessness, Juliet and Romeo would be together. If he got the letter from