Friar Laurence In Shakespeare's Romeo And Juliet

Friar Laurence is the character who is most responsible for the deaths of Romeo and Juliet. Firstly, Friar Laurence marries Romeo and Juliet without either parents’ knowledge. He says “To turn your households’ rancour to pure love.” [II. iv. 95] in hope that the two families will get along. Moreover, they are from rival families who hate each other. Secondly, when he learns about the Capulet’s plan to marry Juliet to Paris, instead of helping Juliet escape or discussing the marriage with Paris, he comes up with the plan to get Juliet to drink the potion. The plan is unreliable in many different respects. The potion could not work, either killing Juliet or not making her appear died. Also, there would be timing issues, what if Romeo couldn’t