Friar Lawrence agreed to marry Romeo and Juliet in Shakespeare’s play “Romeo and Juliet” because he believed their union could help end the long-standing feud between their feuding families, the Montagues and the Capulets. As a man of the church, Friar Lawrence saw the marriage as a way to promote peace and reconciliation between the two warring factions. He hoped that by secretly marrying the young star-crossed lovers, their love could ultimately bring their families together and end the cycle of violence. However, the plan ultimately backfires, leading to the tragic deaths of Romeo and Juliet.
Friar Lawrence’s decision to marry Romeo and Juliet is further illuminated by his own words to Romeo: “This alliance may so happy prove, / To turn your households’ rancour to pure love.” The friar believed that by joining the young couple in holy matrimony, he could heal the longstanding enmity between the Montagues and Capulets. This hope is echoed when he says to Romeo, “come go with me, / In one respect I’ll thy assistant be.” Tragically, the friar’s well-intentioned plan goes awry, leading to the devastating conclusion that “these violent delights have violent ends.”
Relevant Passages:
Act ii, Scene iv
Romeo confesses his love for Juliet to Friar Lawrence, who scolds him for previously loving another woman. The Friar agrees to help Romeo and Juliet marry in hopes of ending the feud between their families, and Romeo agrees to slow down and think things through.
Act iii, Scene i
The passage features Friar Lawrence and Romeo discussing their upcoming marriage to Juliet. They are joined by Juliet, and the friar suggests they hurry with the ceremony to avoid any potential sorrow. Juliet and Romeo express their love for each other, and the friar promises to incorporate them in holy matrimony.
Act iv, Scene i
The Nurse advises Juliet to marry Paris, calling him a better match than Romeo. Juliet is upset and decides to seek help from Friar Lawrence, and if that fails, she will take matters into her own hands by potentially ending her own life.
Leave a Reply