The Friar did it

Fatal Friar

Friars are members of the Roman Catholic Church and they are people who commit good and religious services under God for the people of earth. Friars can be compared to what we know as priests today. However, one Friar thought out of his common sense and duties and ignorantly married two young youths of which one is only fourteen years old! Friar Lawrence should be punished for helping Romeo and Juliet get married because, his spontaneous plans led to tragedy in the play, he is the adult and should have known better than to marry two young children, and he made both families grieve.

Friar Lawrence should have known that marrying Romeo and Juliet would lead to tragedy. First, Romeo and Juliet are from two families that hate each other. The marriage would just bring more hate and tension between the two families. What, drawn, and talk of peace? I hate the word As I hate hell, all Montague, and thee. (I, i, 60)" In this quotation Tybalt says he would hate peace talks between the Capulets and Montagues, so even if Romeo and Juliet were to get married more tension would break out between the two sides. Second, Romeo and Juliet are too young and inexperienced to be married. Juliet was two young and naïve to get married because she thought her first love would be the only love she would ever have, so she went into the hasty marriage without thinking it thorough. "She hath forsworn to love, and in that vow Do I live dead, that live to tell it now"(I, i, 218-219). Romeo had just broken up with Rosaline and he felt a void that needed to be filled so he married the first girl he thought was pretty to him. Third, if the Friars plans worked out he would have sent Romeo and Juliet to a death sentence. Romeo and Juliet did not have any food, money, or other necessities to survive. "I'll give you to my friend. And you be not, hang, beg, starve, die in the streets. For be my soul, I'll never acknowledge thee" (III, iiiii, 201-204). Capulet is saying he will disown Juliet if she does not marry Paris. Therefore, without any money Romeo and Juliet would not survive even if they got away. In conclusion, Friar Lawrence should have known that marrying Romeo and Juliet would result in tragedy.

Friar Laurence's spontaneous plans and advice could have and did lead to tragedy in the play. First, the plan to give Juliet a sleeping potion to fake her death was a big mistake. He put Juliet's life in danger because the potion could have been too strong and killed her; even Juliet at one time thought Friar was going to kill her to save himself. "What if it be a poison which the Friar Subtly hath ministered to have me dead" (IIII, iii, 25-26). Second, by agreeing to marry Romeo and Juliet the Friar put them both in danger of death or exile by their own families. Capulet told Juliet that if she disobeyed him Capulet would disinherit her. "Talk not to me, for I'll not speak a word. Do as thou wilt, for I have done with thee." (III, IIIII, 213-214). When Juliet disobeys her mother, she says she will put her in personal exile, so both of Juliet's parents would hate her. Third, if Friar told the truth earlier it could have saved many lives. If Friar Laurence admitted the truth earlier, the quarrel between Paris and Romeo might have never happened, Balthasar would know everything and he would not have given Romeo false information. Therefore, Friar's actions and plans led to tragedy in the play.

Friar Laurence's actions brought grief to both families and therefore should be punished for it. First, Lady Montague was Romeo's loving mother and Wife to Montague a hated enemy of the Capulets. When she heard her son had died she died as well of pain and suffering. "Alas, my liege, my wife is dead tonight. Grief of my son's exile hath stopped her breath." (IIIII, ii, 216-217). As said by Montague it was a very difficult time for his wife and she just could not handle the death. Second, it caused grief to the Capulet's and everyone who loved Juliet. "O heavens! O wife, look how our daughter bleeds!" (IIIII, iii, 208-29). Montague is describing his pain of his daughter dying to his wife. Last, Montague had to watch his son die before himself. It is painful for anyone to watch a loved one die but Montague felt he was the one that was supposed to die instead of Montague. "O thou untaught! What manners is this, To press before thy father to a grave?" (IIIII, iii, 220-221). In conclusion, the Friar caused unnecessary pain and suffering to both families and therefore should be punished it.

In the end, Friar Laurence is the one that has committed the biggest sin. He should be punished for his role in helping Romeo and Juliet get married because he is the adult in the situation and should have known the consequences, his spontaneous acts led to tragedy, and he brought grief to both Capulet and Montague.