Why Is Friar Lawrence At Fault In Romeo And Juliet

In literature as in life, anything can happen. One innocent action might even change the course of history. In William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, the actions of both Friar Lawrence and the Nurse affect Romeo and Juliet. Throughout the play, star-crossed Romeo and Juliet fall hopelessly in love, seek guidance from their confidants, secretly get married, and tragically die. Friar Lawrence and the Nurse know the truth about the marriage, are confidants, and even work together (in a way). They are responsible for many key events. Arguably, some say the Friar did bring about the lovers’ deaths. Nevertheless, Friar Lawrence is the agent for peace, who helps both main characters, remains faithful to Romeo and Juliet’s union, and in the end, brings

The Nurse is an employee of the Capulet family, and her allegiance is to them and Juliet solely. When Romeo kills Tybalt out of revenge, the upset Nurse places all the blame on Romeo. “Shame come to Romeo!” (3.2.89). Later, Juliet, upset about her forced marriage to Paris, goes to her trusted Nurse for advice. But the Nurse tells her to marry Paris, which shocks Juliet to the core—she would rather die. She realizes the Nurse does not care about Romeo, and then says, “Go, counsellor, / Thou and my bosom henceforth shall be twain” (3.5.239-240). Juliet stops confiding in the Nurse, who she has always counted on since she was born. Hoping the Friar can stop the wedding with Paris, Juliet turns to him, who comes up with the plan of Juliet’s death. The Friar listens to both Romeo and Juliet, giving advice about their situations. At the beginning, lovesick Romeo tells him about Juliet, and the Friar says, “Holy Saint Francis, what a change is here! / Is Rosaline, that thou didst love so dear, / So soon forsaken?” (2.3.65-67). Romeo trusts the Friar to share with him details of his love life. Unlike the Nurse, the Friar remains faithful to the star-crossed lovers because he is desperate to bring

“I think it best you married with the County. / O, he’s a lovely gentleman! Romeo’s a dishclout to him” (3.5.217-219). The Nurse, even though Juliet is grieving Romeo’s banishment, straight up tells her Paris is much better. She decides Juliet would be prosperous with Paris and does not let her get a say. The Nurse’s actions and advice are all for the benefit of the Capulets. The Friar, however, is desperate for peace. “Come, come with me, and we shall make short work / For by your leaves, you shall not stay alone / till Holy Church incorporate two in one” (2.6.35-37). Once Romeo and Juliet are both in Friar Lawrence’s cell, he hurries along with the wedding. The Friar wants to “incorporate two in one” in marriage, but there is a deeper meaning to this quote since he wants to merge the Montague and the Capulet families. Romeo and Juliet’s intense love for one another could make the families stop their feuding. When both families learn the truth, Friar Lawrence explains himself, “And if ought in this / Miscarried by my fault, let my old life / be sacrificed, some hour before his time / Unto the rigour of severest law” (5.3.266-269). Friar Lawrence comes clean with his speech, saying that he admits to his faults and take the blame for the two deaths. In his explanation of what happens, he