Romeo and Juliet : Matt

Jonathan Peul

Mrs. Begley

English 9 Period 2

7 January 2015

Romeo and Juliet Literary Analysis Essay

In the play, Romeo and Juliet, by William Shakespeare, Friar Laurence was the character responsible for the tragic deaths of Romeo and Juliet. Although Friar Laurence is a priest and holy man he always wanted the best for others. Friar’s choices were the reasons behind the deaths of Romeo and Juliet. Friar caused the deaths in three ways. One reason was that Friar married Romeo and Juliet, secondly he faked Juliet’s death, and lastly he sent Friar John to deliver the message to Romeo.

One Reason Friar was responsible for the deaths of Romeo and Juliet was that he married Romeo and Juliet. Romeo and Juliet are from enemy families, Romeo from the Montagues and Juliet from the Capulets, and they fall in love. Friar marries them believing that it would end the feud between the two families. The text states, “Friar Laurence. O she know well/thy love did led by note that could not spell. / but come, young waverer, come go with me/in one respect I’ll thy assistant be; / for this Alliance may so happily prove/ to turn your households’ rancor to pure love.” (II.ii.95-100). Because Friar married Romeo and Juliet they had to be secret about it and Tybalt did not know so when Romeo ran into Tybalt he fought and Romeo killed Tybalt forcing to be banished to Mantua where Romeo learned of Juliet’s “death”, and where upon hearing so he went to Juliet tomb and committed suicide.

The second reason friar is responsible is that he tried to fake Juliet’s death. Since Romeo was banished to Mantua Juliet wanted to be with him, but her dad did not know of them being married so he wanted Paris to marry Juliet. Friar came up with a plan to fake Juliet’s death with a potion so when she woke up Romeo would be there to take her away to Mantua. The text states, “Friar Laurence. For no pulse / shall keep his native progress, but surcease / no warmth, the breath, shall testify thou livest;...