The Death Of Friar Lawrence In Shakespeare's Romeo And Juliet

Most people are aware of the tragic story of Romeo and Juliet. Many characters in the play had something to do with the end result of the deaths of Romeo and Juliet, and the end to one of the most famous love stories ever written. However, did one character contribute to their deaths more than the others? If so, which character’s actions affected Romeo and Juliet’s deaths the most? Friar Laurence had the biggest impact on the deaths of Romeo and Juliet.
Friar Laurence was the one that married Romeo and Juliet, “…for by your leaves, you shall not stay alone/ till Holy Church incorporate two in one,” (Shakespeare II.vi.36-37). If Friar Laurence wouldn’t have married Romeo and Juliet, then the brawl that broke out between Mercutio and Tybalt probably never would have happened, Mercutio wouldn’t have died so Romeo never would have killed Tybalt and been exiled. Romeo’s exile was really what eventually led to Romeo’s and Juliet’s death. Friar Laurence was the one who went against what Romeo
Friar Laurence was the one who originally gave Juliet the poison that later caused Romeo to kill himself (IV.i). If Friar Laurence would have never given Juliet the poison, that the whole commotion with Balthasar telling Romeo that she was dead, and then Romeo later coming back to Verona to see Juliet and eventually kill himself would have never happened. When Juliet had woken up at the cemetery to the sight of Romeo dead on the floor, instead of taking her with him or trying to comfort her he just left her there because he didn’t want to risk being caught, “Come, go, good Juliet. I dare no longer stay./ Go, get thee hence, for I will not away,” (V.iii.171-172). If Friar Laurence would have stayed there with Juliet, he probably could have kept her from killing herself. He might have been able to get her out of that situation if he would have just stayed there with her instead of running away like a little