Similarities Between Friar Lawrence And Lord Capulet

As humans we tend to create a persona entirely constructed for likeability; this is similar to Friar Laurence and Lord Capulet’s motives in the play Romeo and Juliet, written by William Shakespeare. The main problematic characteristic Friar Laurence and Lord Capulet possessed was their desire to uphold a prestigious reputation and status. The opinion and judgement of the outside world shaped these characters’ actions resulting in a vigorous desire to have a memorable reputation. In the play, both Romeo and Juliet fell in love very early in the story and decided to finalize their feelings in marriage. Lord Capulet, Juliet’s father, had promised Juliet’s hand in marriage to Paris. Lord Capulet loved Juliet very much, but when she refused to marry
Friar Laurence’s motivation for saving his reputation is present during the fourth scene when he tells Paris to slow down the wedding. During this scene Friar Laurence says, “On Thursday, sir? The time is very short/… You say you do not know the lady’s mind./Uneven is the course. I like it not,” (IV.i.1-5). In this section Friar tells Paris that the time period for the wedding is too soon and if he does not know what Juliet is thinking they should not be getting married. After he discusses this with Paris, Friar whispers to himself, “I would I knew not why it should be slowed,” (IV.i.16). In this quote Friar is referring to how he wished he was never aware of the wedding that he performed. Upon saying this Friar is clearly motivated by his reputation, and realizing the mistake that he had made in marrying Romeo and Juliet. In addition to Friar Laurence’s selfish motives, Lord Capulet shares similar intentions to keep his reputation spotless. I was able to see Lord Capulet's motivations when he had a conversation with Paris about marrying his daughter. During this scene Lord Capulet says, “Sir Paris, I will make a desperate tender/ Of my child’s love. I think she will be ruled/ In respects by me. Naymore, I doubt it not”(III.IV.12-14). Lord Capulet’s objective is shown in this quote
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