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Why Is Friar Lawrence To Blame Romeo And Juliet

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Why Friar Laurence is Most to Blame in Romeo and Juliet Actions that are hurried and not deeply considered can lead to devastating results. In William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, this is what happens. The tragic events that occur are the result of most of the characters’ actions, but who is most to blame? Friar Laurence is the character most to blame for the tragic events that happen in Romeo and Juliet because he secretly married Romeo and Juliet, allowed Juliet to drink the sleeping potion before he was certain that Romeo knew about the plan, and left Juliet when she saw that Romeo died. To start with, Friar Laurence is most to blame for the events that occur in Romeo and Juliet because he secretly married Romeo and Juliet. “But come, …show more content…

“Take thou this vial, being then in bed, / And this distilled liquor drink thou off” (Shakespeare 4.1.96-97) This quote reveals that Friar gave Juliet the sleeping potion to drink the night before Paris and Juliet were to be married. The plan that he had in mind was for Juliet to drink the sleeping potion that would make her appear dead for forty-two hours, be buried in the Capulet tomb, then be saved and took to Mantua by Romeo when she woke up. However, it is later revealed that Friar John couldn’t bring the important letter Friar Laurence wrote to Romeo that described the plan because he was quarantined inside of a house because town health officials suspected he was infected with the plague. When he heard of this, Friar Laurence was going to write to Romeo again, meanwhile taking Juliet to his cell when she woke up and keeping her there until Romeo arrived. It was too late, since Romeo already heard that Juliet was dead from Balthasar, causing him to already be on his way to Juliet’s grave to kill himself so he could be with her. Friar Laurence allowing Juliet to drink the sleeping potion before he was certain that Romeo knew about the plan was ultimately what caused the death of Romeo and …show more content…

“I hear some noise. Lady, come from that nest Of death, contagion, and unnatural sleep. A greater power than we can contradict Hath thwarted our intents. Come, come away. Thy husband in thy bosom there lies dead, And Paris too. Come, I’ll dispose of thee Among a sisterhood of holy nuns. Stay not to question, for the watch is coming. Come, go, good Juliet. I dare no longer stay.” (Shakespeare 5.3.163-171) Friar Laurence tried to help Juliet but when she told him to go away, he complied and didn’t make any further efforts. Therefore, Friar Laurence leaving Juliet when she found out that Romeo died is another reason why he is most responsible for the tragic events that occur in Romeo and Juliet. In conclusion, the character most responsible for the tragic events that happen in Romeo and Juliet is Friar Laurence. Marrying Romeo and Juliet, allowing Juliet to drink the sleeping potion before he was sure that Romeo knew about the plan, and leaving Juliet when she saw that Romeo died were all decisions that Friar Laurence made that caused tragic consequences. These decisions were rushed and not deeply thought through, which led to devastating

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