Why Is Friar Lawrence Important In Romeo And Juliet

In the tragedy of Romeo and Juliet, the influential Friar Lawrence plays a key role in the tragic downfall of Romeo and Juliet. Romeo, the son of Lord and Lady Montague, is young and a handsome man that has a special passion and interest in love. He is handsome yet acts very impulsive and immature. Juliet, of the Capulet family, is a beautiful teenager who is devoted to her family and naive. Both young lovers are caught up in a violent and rancorous family feud that has kept them separate. Among both of these young lovers is the respected and well know Friar Lawrence. The Friar is a kind man who lived a life modeled on the Gospel and advocating penance. Friars during the Elizabethan time period were well respected and were looked up to for advice and guidance. Friar Lawrence is a figure that both Romeo and Juliet can look up to during times of need. He is there for Romeo and Juliet when they need a favor or advice and he gives them whatever he can, but sometimes it doesn't always go the way he plans it. Friar

Friar’s idea of faking Juliet’s death and not telling anyone hurt both Juliet and Romeo because no help was given to them during this grieving time. He chose not to tell anyone about his plan because he wanted to be a hero and to cover up some of the mistakes he had already made. The biggest flaw of him not telling the people around him of his plan was that he never told Friar John or people that could help him. Without telling Friar John of the outrageous plan to fake the death of Juliet, he goes to Mantua to tell Romeo that Juliet has died which leads to Romeo to leave Mantua and head back to Verona where he is banished from. The Friar uses the respect he is given the wrong way (“In ones respect I’ll thy assistant be, for this alliance may be so happy prove to turn your households to pure love”)( 2 3 89-92) and promises too much that he can not