Luma Makawi

February 21, 2017

English 9

Garrett Hartwig

Friar Lawrence and the Deaths of Romeo and Juliet

Love can cure heartbreaks, misfortune, or tragedy. It is the eternal companion

(Anonymous). This quote certainly does not apply for Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet. If

anything, it is the other way around, their love causes tragedy. The Most Excellent and

Lamentable Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet is about two kingdoms, two enemies, and plenty of

romance and tragedy. Friar Lawrence plays a huge role in the deaths of Romeo and Juliet. Juliet

trusts Friar Lawrence to let Romeo know of their plan. He plans on sending a letter to Romeo in

Mantua, but he tells Friar John to deliver the letter without telling him of its urgency. During the

last part of their plan, Friar Lawrence leaves Juliet instead of potentially saving her. Friar

Lawrence should be held accountable for both Romeo and Juliets death.

Friar Lawrence is supposed to deliver a message to Romeo letting him know of the big

plan that is devised by the Friar and Juliet. The plan is for Juliet to agree to marry Paris, and the

wedding would be on Wednesday. The day before Juliet would drink a potion that makes her

appear dead. After she is placed in the Capulets tomb, Romeo and the Friar will revive her. Then

both Romeo and Juliet will head towards Mantua, where they will live a long and happy life.

Unhappy fortune! By my brotherhood, / The letter was not nice, but full of charge, / Of dear

import; and the neglecting it / May do much danger. Friar John, go hence, / Get me an iron crow

and bring it straight / Unto my cell (Shakespeare Act V, ii, 17-22). In this quote, from

Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, Friar Lawrence is realizing his mistake of leaving out how

important this message is. Since Friar Lawrence is not able to present the plan on time, Romeo

learned of Juliet's death and downs a vial of poison.

 Friar Lawrence leaves Juliet when she needs him the most. Juliet is moments away from

committing suicide, but Lawrence kills Juliet by leaving her in the tomb to die. Stay not to

question, for the watch is coming. / Come, go, good Juliet. I dare no longer stay (Act 5, iii, 158-

159). If Friar Lawrence was not concerned about himself or what might happen to him, he could

save Juliet's life. Lawrence should not be afraid of what will happen to him, he should be afraid

of what would happen to the daughter of his king.

Tragic Love: Introducing Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet (ReadWrite Think). Not only

is Romeo and Juliet a tragedy, it is also ironic. Lawrence hopes to bring the families together

with this marriage, but he only makes them hate each other more. Friar Lawrence also marries

Romeo and Juliet but causes their deaths.