FREE ESSAY ON IMPORTANCE OF FRIAR LAWRENCE

IMPORTANCE OF FRIAR LAWRENCE

The Importance of Friar Lawrence
Even though he was not actually on stage for most of the play, he was the most important
character in the play. There was basically three major parts that lead to the tragedy;
marriage, the plan and the deaths. In all three of these parts Friar Lawrence played a
vital role. His attempts to make the marriage of Romeo and Juliet was very admirable but
were poorly planned. It these attempts that make his role the most significant one in the
play. This is why Friar Lawrence is the most powerful character in the play.
The tragedy of their deaths could not have happened if Romeo had received the message in
time. This is due to Friar Lawrence not planning how he was going to fake Juliet's death.
Due to his dauntless attempts to keep the two lovers together, he still failed. This was
shown in Act 4 Scene 1  I do spy a kind of hope, Which craves as desperate execution As
that is desperate which we would prevent. One of his faults in the plan is shown in Act 5
Scene 3 when Friar John does not know the importance of the letter and does not give it
to Romeo. I could not send it. Nor get a messenger to bring thee, so fearful were they of
infection. Another fault to his plan is in Act 3 Scene 3 when he tells Romeo that he will
send a friend of his to inform him the news. Instead of telling him that a fellow friar
of his was bringing the message. I'll find your man, and he shall signify from time to
time every good hap to your chances here. 
The magnitude of his role is showed again when he is involved in another major part of
the play; the marriage. He risks his reputation as a Friar so he can unite to star
crossed lovers in marriage. The character of Friar Lawrence is extremely important
because if he would not have married Romeo and Juliet the play would maybe not ended in
tragedy. This gamble is shown in Act 2 Scene 6 Come, come with me, and we will make short
work, For, by you leaves, you shall not stay alone Till Holy Church incorporate two in
one. He conceives that because of the marriage between Romeo and Juliet that the families
will end their hatred for each other. This idea is what pushes to join the two in
marriage, and is what is start the chain reaction to the deaths of the two lovers. Act 2
Scene 3 In one respect I'll thy assistant be; for this alliance may so happy prove, to
turn your households to pure love. He tries to make sure the marriage is successful
because he understands that if they rush into it there could be problems. As shown in Act
2 Scene 3 when he tells Romeo that people that rush in make mistakes. Wisely and slow.
They stumble that run fast.
Furthermore his death was the last part of the play that showed the Friar's significance.
In Act 4 Scene 1 it shows how Friar plan is very dangerous when, Friar says Take thou
this vial, being then in bed, and this distilled liquor drink through off,. So Juliet has
planned to awaken to find young Romeo looking back at her, but finds him dead on the
floor of the church. Which causes her to kill herself with a dagger. Also the Friar did
not take in to effect what could happen when she was unconscious and even if Romeo would
receive the message in time. His role is defined in the end of the play in Act 5 Scene 3
when he talks about he is responsible for what has happened to the two lovers. And I here
stand both to impeach and purge myself condemned and myself excused. This is when he
talks about how he made the mistake which inevitably lead to the deaths of Romeo and
Juliet. 
Friar gave it everything he had to try and allow for Romeo and Juliet to live in piece.
Maybe with more time he could have planned it our a little better, but this is the way it
was supposed to end, in tragedy. The countless mistakes by Friar are understandable but
deadly. It was not just one part of the play that made Friar Lawrence the most powerful
character but all of them collectively that created him as the body of the play.