Preview

Analyzing The Character Of Friar Lawrence In Shakespeare's 'Romeo And Juliet'

Good Essays
Open Document
Open Document
590 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
Analyzing The Character Of Friar Lawrence In Shakespeare's 'Romeo And Juliet'
I think that Friar Lawrence shouldn't be punished because he never tried to cause any of the bad things that happened to Romeo and Juliet intentionally. He also is always trying to make Verona a safer place for its citizens. He also helped Juliet and Romeo be together even though he knew that he would be punished if he did. He even helped them when he knew it would not end the feud between the Capulets and the Montagues which was one of the main reasons he helped them to begin with. In the end the Friar was a truly selfless individual who put the needs of Romeo and Juliet and Verona’s citizens over the needs of himself

I do believe however that Lord Capulet should be punished because he caused a lot of the conflicts that led to the deaths of Romeo and Juliet. He directly caused Juliet to need to drink the potion by selfishly forcing her to marry Paris so that he didn’t look bad. He also didn’t let anybody even try to defend Juliet’s side just because he was angry. Which is a sign of a very terrible parent. Lord Capulet was selfish he didn’t listen to reason when he was angry and was overall a bad individual who indirectly caused
…show more content…
Even though it seemed cruel when she told Juliet that she would have Romeo killed for her that was only because she thought that it would help Juliet because she didn’t know that she was in love with him. She didn’t argue with Lord Capulet because in the time that the story is set in women had no say in basically anything so it would have been a fruitless effort. She also gave Juliet the choice to marry Paris in the beginning of the story which even though the choice was taken away later was still much better than how most marriages happen in the time Romeo and Juliet is set in happened. Lady Capulet while not the nicest most considerate character in the story still never did anything that she would deserve punishment for

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Good Essays

    Letter to Capulets

    • 254 Words
    • 2 Pages

    I think Lord and Lady Capulet got what they deserve when Juliet “died”. Neither of them spent time with her so they didn't make a family bond so the family was distant. The nurse knew more things about Juliet than Lord or Lady Capulet. Lord Capulet also forced Juliet to marry Paris when she didn't want to and threatened her to do it or else he would disown her. Lines 160-164 “Hang Thee, young baggage! Disobedient wretch! I tell thee what. Get to thee church o' Thursday Or never look me in the face” He is yelling at her for not obeying her father to marry Paris and yells at her. This part also says that if she doesn't attend the marriage that she should never look at her again and that she will no longer be apart of the family.…

    • 254 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    In the drama Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare, Friar Lawrence is a kind, knowledgeable, peacekeeping, and wise character. He also acts as a foil to the Montaques, Capulets, and the nurse. He is a priest to both the Montaque and Capulet houses. He is a well-liked person in the town of Verona. The Friar is a positive figure in the community and serves as a good role model for the children of Verona.…

    • 857 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    In Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, Friar Lawrence’s plan to assist the two young lovers goes horribly wrong. In my opinion I believe that Friar Lawrence should not be punished or rewarded. I believe this because the two lovers were not meant to be together and there was nothing he could do to stop it. Although he did try his best to help them get around the consequences of attempting to be together. Friar Lawrence did this by creating a plan that would secretly get Romeo and Juliet back together again. Another reason that greatly influenced my opinion on this was that he only wanted to help. Friar Lawrence was not trying to sabotage anyone or ruin anything. He was simply attempting to mend the feud between the two families. He believed that…

    • 175 Words
    • 1 Page
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    In Shakespeare’s play, Romeo and Juliet, Friar Laurence is responsible for the death of Juliet. In act 4, scene 1, Friar Lawrence displays his absurdity by saying, “If… thou hast the strength of will to slay thyself… take thou this vial… no warmth, no breath shall testify thou livest.” Friar Lawrence’s plan for Juliet is audacious and somewhat irresponsible. These words show the true meaning of irresponsibility, because when he spoke this, her life is in his hands. Further, giving Friar John the letter was another faulty mistake. This mistake of Friar giving the letter to someone else is mindless, and should be dealt directly. In act 5, scene 2, “I could not send it - here it is again”. This quote thoroughly shows Friar’s foolishness, because he trusted a buffoon with the letter instead of delivering it himself. And this foolishness causes Juliet to die in misery.…

    • 346 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    Friar Laurence should have the most leeway and should be pardoned the most. He is Romeo’s confidant and would support him in any way. Not only did Friar Laurence agree to help Romeo marry Juliet to make him happy, but he also had the hopes of ending the Capulet and the Montague Family Feud. If Friar Laurence is willing to go behind Lord Montague’s back to attempt to bring peace to Verona, that says a lot about his character. When Romeo goes to him for someone to confide into, Friar Laurence is always honest with him no matter how much the truth could hurt. For example, when Prince Escalus told Romeo he was banished. Crestfallen and depressed, Romeo went to Friar Laurence’s cell to vent and rage. Disappointed and frustrated, Friar Laurence explained to him he should count his blessings. “Since birth and heaven and earth, all three do meet in thee at once; which thou at once wouldst lose.” [3.3.137] In addition, Friar Laurence also prevented Romeo and Juliet from killing themselves over each other. If his intention of making Romeo happy and bringing peace upon Verona weren’t true, he would have let them commit suicide. He also has taken responsibility for the death of Romeo and…

    • 1195 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    In William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, Two star crossed lovers, Romeo and Juliet, fall in love. Friar Lawrence married the two, while ignoring the fact that bad things may occur in the future. As time progresses, the lives of Romeo and especially Juliet worsen. I, Lord Capulet, believe that Friar Lawrence should be sentenced to prison for criminal negligence. Friar Lawrence married Juliet and Romeo together knowing that bad things may happen. On top of that, he never even told us that he did. After marrying them, he gave Juliet a sleeping potion to deceive me and many others. That’s unacceptable! Not only that, Friar Lawrence committed perjury for not telling us the truth about Romeo and Juliet until it was too late. Illegally, Friar Lawrence…

    • 217 Words
    • 1 Page
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Turning Against R J Essay

    • 726 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Lord and Lady Capulet believed in the idea of arranged marriage, that it was a good thing for their daughter. La. Capulet was blind to Juliet’s feelings and emotions, and only wanted what she and her husband wanted, which was for Juliet to be married to the county, Paris. If Lady Capulet had been more of a motherly figure, and had listened to her daughters needs, had been more caring, and had done the simple things a mother should have done, Juliet wouldn’t have wanted to drink the potion that got the ball rolling in the first place. Lord Capulet wasn’t any better and had a defect of character. He had narrow vision, and thought that if Juliet were to marry Paris, that her grief from Tybalt passing would pass. Lord Capulet forced Juliet’s hand. He had told her, “I tell what: get thee to church o’ Thursday, or…

    • 726 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    romeo and juliet

    • 1698 Words
    • 5 Pages

    So far Capulet has been presented as the figure head of the perfect father, given the Elizabethan era, however there is a moment when his attitude towards his daughter changes. In Act Three, Scene Five Capulet has just been informed by his wife that Juliet has refused to marry Paris. Capulet then…

    • 1698 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Better Essays

    At the end of the play Friar Laurence found Juliet in the tomb standing next to the dead bodies of Romeo and Paris. He needed to convince her to leave Romeo behind. At this time Friar Laurence tells Juliet, “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”(V.iii.168-171). In this quote Friar Laurence told Juliet to come with him and he would cast her among a sisterhood of nuns. I think this showed his motivation due to trying to dispose Juliet so he could not be associated with Romeo and Paris’s deaths. During this scene I also took note that Friar Laurence most likely new Juliet would take her life if he left her, but again his reputation and image trumped saving Juliet’s life. Furthermore, Lord Capulet also put his reputation over the happiness and fate of Juliet, Romeo, and Paris, causing great obliteration of them. I found my next quote when Lord Capulet had talked to Juliet about her marriage to Paris. During this scene Lord Capulet told Juliet, “Hang thee young baggage! Disobedient Wretch!/ I tell thee what, get thee to church o’thursday,/ Or never look me in the face” (III.V.160-162). In this quote Lord Capulet demonstrated his power over Juliet by saying if she does not comply with his wishes she will be…

    • 1104 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    In act 1 , I would like to argue that Lord Capulet makes a better parent. He’s allowing time for Juliet to pick the man that she wants to marry while Lady Capulet advocates for Juliet to marry Paris, regardless of what Juliet believes or thinks. Also Tybalt told Lord Capulet that Romeo was at the party and because he is a Montague he should be kicked out. However, the lord states “ Let him alone. He bears him like a portly gentleman, and to say the truth, Verona brags of him To be a virtuous and well-governed youth. (1,5,74-77). This quote demonstrates that Lord Capulet is open and willing to allow her daughter to see whomever she desires, versus promoting what the parent believes. On the Flipside, Lady Capulet wants Juliet to marry Paris…

    • 238 Words
    • 1 Page
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Better Essays

    Amongst the selfish characters was Friar Lawrence. He didn’t contemplate the consequences that might have been suffered if he married Romeo and Juliet without the consent of their parents. By making this serious mistake, it led to…

    • 1754 Words
    • 8 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    In the tragedy, Romeo and Juliet, William Shakespeare wrote that Juliet married Romeo without the consent of her father, Lord Capulet. Without Lord Capulet having that knowledge, it was reasonable for him to find a husband for his daughter. When he was angry with Juliet for not being happy about the arrangement of marrying Paris, it was rude to yell at her the way he did. He had no thoughts on how she would feel, and did what he thought would be best, thinking of nobody but himself in the process of what he thought was his duty. Lord Capulet is a well intended father who thought he was only doing what he was born to do. When caught in the problem of finding a husband for Juliet, Lord Capulet took it too far by rejecting Juliet’s thoughts and feelings, and imposing his intentions.…

    • 697 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    Lord Capulet, “You will be forced to marry Paris tomorrow or I shall drag you there.” If he didn’t force Juliet into marriage she could have run away with Romeo. He was the most influential person in this play. “My child is yet a stranger in the world; She hath not seen the change of fourteen years, Let two more summers wither in their pride, Ere we may think her ripe to be a bride.” He is trying to do the right thing by marrying Paris and her, but it is actually the main reason why the two lovers died. This fatal deaths could have been prevented if not for…

    • 648 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Lastly, we have the nurse. At first glance she looks innocent, however with further inspection, she could be given all the blame. Not only does she go against both Capulets, she helps Juliet go against them as well. There are little to none redeeming qualities about her, other than the fact that she nurtured Juliet throughout her infant life and some teenage years. Basically, the nurse is the spoiling parent to all rich kids.…

    • 879 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Old Capulet is Juliet’s father in Romeo and Juliet. In the beginning of the play, he seemed like a good parent. He wanted Juliet to live the best life she could. However, as the play moves along, he shows that he cares more about power and wealth than his own daughter. Because he loved himself more than Juliet, Lord Capulet was a bad father.…

    • 123 Words
    • 1 Page
    Satisfactory Essays