Friar Lawrence Character Analysis Essay

The tale of Romeo and Juliet, written by William Shakespeare, is a gripping tale. As you read it, it's easy to get swept up in the fast-paced romance of the titular characters; which makes it easier to overlook, arguably, one of the most significant characters: Friar Lawrence. Friar Lawrence serves as both a voice of reason to the main characters as well as a source of hope in their melodramatic despair. It is his character that gives a new perspective to the story as, perhaps, one of a cautionary tale.
Other characters acknowledge Romeo's melodrama and fickleness; but Friar Lawrence has the most important line about chastising him about his former flame: “For doting, not for loving, pupil mine.” It's an important quote, as it gets to the heart of the story: This is a story about two teenagers rushing into love
Friar Lawrence believes both Romeo and Juliet can repair the rift between their families and enables their reckless behavior. Although Friar Lawrence acknowledges that things would likely not end well with the line: "These violent delights have violent ends." It is ironic that while he is the first to acknowledge it won't end well, it is via his plan that things end violently and tragically. Friar Lawrence, out of any other characters within the play, has the biggest influence on the characters, and this becomes his greatest regrets when he must face what he has done at the end of the play.
It's easy to interpret Romeo and Juliet as a heartfelt romance, but through the lens of characters such as Friar Lawrence, it becomes a cautionary tale of two overly dramatic teenagers. While the reader gets swept up and dragged into the rush of their romance, so too do other characters. Friar Lawrence is, despite the sage advice he offers, prone to naivete just like Romeo and Juliet. It proves to not only be his folly, but that which brings about the final tragedy in this