Who Is To Blame For Romeo And Juliet's Downfall

The deaths of Romeo and Juliet in the timeless tragedy can be said to have been caused by a multitude of things, but the underpinning reasons of this chaotic web of blame can be traced to one person. The Friar Lawrence. For he was the trusted advisor of the protagonist, but his advice and decisions are of poor quality and unsound judgment. Because of this, the deaths of Romeo, Juliet and others are upon his head. In the play, Friar Lawrence is described as the most trusted advisor of many citizens and a well learned, knowledgeable man. Which is why it is quite surprising that much of his advice and actions are quite foolish. When Juliet comes to him in distress over her upcoming marriage to the County Paris, the Friar thinks up an absurd plan to drug her and masquerade as if she is dead. While the characters act like this is a completely well thought out and rational plan, it is easy to see the ridiculousness. The potion will make her so that, “Stiff and stark and cold, appear like death. (Shakespeare, Pg. 454).” robbing her of all movement and conscious. The sheer myriad of things that could go wrong! From simply dying to waking up during the funeral process. And the Friar is not even there to administer the potion he
He is perfectly willing to perform illegal acts and acts of questionable ethicality. Not only does he marry the two in secret, without their parents knowledge, and less than a day after their meeting, but he goes on to lie to both families. Along the way he also harbours Romeo after his killing of Tybalt, a fugitive he harbours a fugitive, and then helps orchestrate his escape! And then instead of simply informing the families that Juliet is married already, he connects a hare brained scheme to drug Juliet faking her death and causing great distress for both families. I mean, isn't it a mite bit suspicious this guy has a death-like-sleep potion on