Is The Friar To Blame For Romeo And Juliet's Downfall

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The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet, by William Shakespeare contains an abundance of characters that add to the events that occur throughout the drama. Each action has its own effect on the outcome of the play. Although many could argue cases that many of the characters are to blame for Romeo and Juliet’s tragic demise. One character stands out as the mastermind behind it all. This character is Friar Lawrence. The Friar contributes to many events and is intertwined within most scenes during the drama. The Friar is the holy man in town and one that everyone trusts. Because of this Romeo and Juliet run to him to help solve many of their problems. One of the first instances the Friar is seen stepping over the boundaries of what is right is when he …show more content…
One example of this is when he came up with a plan to try and reunite Romeo and Juliet after Romeo is banished from Verona. He comes up with this plan when Juliet comes to him threatening to kill herself if something is not done to stop the wedding between her and Paris and to reunite her and Romeo. Earlier in the play the audience learns that the Friar is a botanist and spends many hours working with plants and potions. He uses this skill to concoct a potion that slows down Juliet’s bodily functions rendering her in a death-like trance. He suggests that she fake her death and run away from her family. Juliet is only thirteen at this time so running away from her family is something she shouldn’t be doing. Although the Friar might think that this is not right he still goes through with it anyways. By coming up with this plan he is feeding Juliet’s ideas desperation and not acting rationally. Not only that, but he is the adult in this situation and instead of encouraging Juliet’s irrational behavior tried to calm her down and maybe even notify her parents about what has been