Friar Lawrence Is To Blame In Shakespeare's Romeo And Juliet

Romeo and Juliet, a classic love story amidst a time so full of tragedy. However, every good love story has tragedy built in among itself. In the case of Romeo and Juliet, the real tribulation is the literal downfall of Romeo and Juliet. There are many events that lead to the rise and fall of Romeo and Juliet, from their first meeting at the masquerade ball, to Friar Laurence marrying them, to Romeo’s exile, and lastly the deaths of Romeo and Juliet in a tomb below the city of fair Verona. However, these deaths could have been prevented had it not been for other characters in the play. Those most to blame, though, can be narrowed down to two: Friar Laurence and Capulet.
Friar Laurence plays a large part in the downfall of Romeo and Juliet. He is extremely secretive with Romeo and Juliet’s relationship, he does not communicate well, and is an overall coward. Friar Laurence makes the ill-advised decision to marry Romeo and Juliet instead of denying to marry them and telling their parents. He believes that their relationship is better kept a secret. In fact, the Friar reveals how uneasy he feels about the union, but goes through with it anyway because of these deep beliefs: “O she knew well Thy love did read by rote, that could not spell. But come, young waverer, come go with me, In one respect I’ll …show more content…
Many blame Romeo and Juliet for the choices that they make. However can you blame someone for trying to find a way out when forced into a corner? The choices and actions of other characters in Romeo and Juliet forced Romeo and Juliet into the positions they are in. Into positions where they feel there is nowhere to go but up to heaven in death. The two perpetrators most responsible for this are Friar Laurence and Lord Capulet. If they could not be so irresponsible and unreasonable in their choices and actions, Romeo and Juliet would still be alive and their relationship