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Friar Lawrences Downfall
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Friar Lawrence in “Romeo and Juliet” by Shakespeare Essay
The most memorable love stories are the love stories that have sad endings. Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare, a tragedy play about two doomed lovers, is no exception in that sense. The richness of Shakespeare’s characters in the play along with the emphasis on the main protagonists overshadows many other important characters, whose role cannot be overestimated. One of such characters and the subject of this paper is Friar Laurence, a priest, and Romeo’s advisor and friend.
Friar Lawrence’s responsibilities, as a priest in Italy in the 15 th century included procedures such as marrying couples and conducting funerals. In addition a priest at that time was accepting confessions and forgiving sins. Being a Franciscan monk, the members of such order “practice the principles of monastic life and devote themselves to the service of humanity in the secular world.” (“Franciscans”)
“Friars differed from monks in that the monk was attached to a specific community within which he led a cloistered life, having no direct contact with the secular world. The friar, on the other hand, belonged to no particular monastic house but to a general order, and worked as an individual in the secular world. Thus, friar and monk are not synonymous terms, even though in popular usage monk is often used as a generic term for all members of religious orders.”
The position taken by Friar Laurence in Romeo’s life can be sensed throughout the novel. Friar Laurence, as Romeo’s friend, can be described as a person to ask for advice. The Laurence’s position as a friend differs from the position as a priest in advising Romeo in delicate themes. The strengths of such friendships can be seen in the way Friar Laurence accepts and anticipates Romeo’s actions, showing that he is ready to hear him as a friend not as a priest,
“ Doth couch his limbs, there golden sleep doth reign. Therefore thy earliness doth me assure Thou art uprouse with some distemp’rature; Or if not so, then here I hit it right – Our Romeo hath not been in bed tonight.” (Shakespeare and Holland 47).
The weaknesses of such friendship can be seen through the reaction of Friar Laurence to Romeo’s love, where Friar started reproaching him for forgetting Rosaline so quickly and questioning the seriousness of Romeo’s intentions. In this scene the contrast can be seen, as Romeo was coming to ask for the advice, where the problem was in Juliette being a Capulet, and Friar Laurence underestimated the seriousness of Romeo’s confessions as notes of irony could be heard in his words.
“ Holy Saint Francis! What a change is here! Is Rosaline, that thou didst love so dear, So soon forsaken? Young men’s love then lies Not truly in their hearts, but in their eyes.” (Shakespeare and Holland 48).
The role of Friar Laurence as a priest and as a person that is concerned about the ongoing hostility between the two families was his main strength. This strength can be seen through the potential to reconcile the Capulet and the Montague. This potential was fulfilled through marrying Romeo and Juliet,
“ So smile the heavens upon this holy act That after-hours with sorrow chide us not!” (Shakespeare and Holland 60).
Friar truly believed that by marrying the Romeo and Juliet, he was acting behalf of the church from one hand and as a peace maker from the other.
“ For, by your leaves, you shall not stay alone Till Holy Church incorporate two in one.” (Shakespeare and Holland 62).
The Friar Laurence’s weaknesses as a priest are the most apparent where he acted without foreseeing the consequences of his actions. In order for the secret of Romeo and Juliet to be kept, he evaded direct answers when speaking with Paris about why the marriage should not be hastened,
“ On Thursday, sir? The time is very short….. You say you do not know the lady’s mind: Uneven is the course; I like it not.’’’ I would I knew not why it should be slow’d.” (Shakespeare and Holland 94-95).
The idea itself of offering the lovers the potions to save their love, can be considered an improper action of a priest, where Friar Laurence should have advised the lovers to think reasonable, although at some point he might have thought that in case he did not help them, they would have done actions with much worse consequences.
The presentation of a character such as Laurence is an appeal in itself by Shakespeare to have the audience sympathy regarding the church. Persuading Romeo from killing himself appealing with his love to Juliet is a confession of the power of love, where a priest did not use religious threat of committing such sin, rather than using the logic of the young blood. In addition, Shakespeare used Romeo and Laurence’ monologues to show the points of agreement and disapproval between the rational old generation and the somewhat reckless young generation, a generation driven by emotions and passion.
Romeo and Juliette’s love is not simply an infringement of family interdictions. It is a call thrown on the century tradition of hatred throughout which many generations of Montague and Capulet had died and upon which the state foundations of Verona were based. Therefore, it can be seen why the feelings that captured both Romeo and Juliet scared almost everyone that surrounds them. For their love, their union undermines bases, and breaks what the laws that were forbidden to break.
Despite the youth and the carelessness, despite all boyish bravery of Romeo and Juliette’s spontaneity, they practically knew from the very beginning their desperate position. The power of their passions, the finality of their decision and reckless determination on everything including death, shocked even the one who, apparently, understands them and not only sympathizes with them, but also helped them in every possible way- Friar Laurence. The friendship of Friar Laurence and his status as a priest make the audience sympathize with him, despite his prediction of the end,
“These violent delights have violent ends, And in their triumph die; like fire and powder,”
Works Cited
“Franciscans”. 2008. The Franciscans. 2009. Web.
Shakespeare, William, and Peter Holland. Romeo and Juliet. The Pelican Shakespeare. New York: Penguin Books, 2000.
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IvyPanda. (2021, November 21). Friar Lawrence in “Romeo and Juliet” by Shakespeare. https://ivypanda.com/essays/friar-lawrence-in-romeo-and-juliet-by-shakespeare/
"Friar Lawrence in “Romeo and Juliet” by Shakespeare." IvyPanda , 21 Nov. 2021, ivypanda.com/essays/friar-lawrence-in-romeo-and-juliet-by-shakespeare/.
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IvyPanda . 2021. "Friar Lawrence in “Romeo and Juliet” by Shakespeare." November 21, 2021. https://ivypanda.com/essays/friar-lawrence-in-romeo-and-juliet-by-shakespeare/.
1. IvyPanda . "Friar Lawrence in “Romeo and Juliet” by Shakespeare." November 21, 2021. https://ivypanda.com/essays/friar-lawrence-in-romeo-and-juliet-by-shakespeare/.
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IvyPanda . "Friar Lawrence in “Romeo and Juliet” by Shakespeare." November 21, 2021. https://ivypanda.com/essays/friar-lawrence-in-romeo-and-juliet-by-shakespeare/.
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Curriculum / ELA / 9th Grade / Unit 11: Romeo and Juliet / Lesson 9
Romeo and Juliet
Lesson 9 of 23
Readings and Materials
Target task, key questions.
Analyze how the interactions between Romeo and Friar Lawrence develop the conflict of the play.
Play: Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare — Act 2, Scene 3 (pp. 83–91)
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Multiple Choice
In act 2, scene 3, the line “For naught so vile that on the Earth doth live but to the earth some special good doth give” is used to reveal
In lines 96–100, what does Friar Lawrence’s response to Romeo’s request mainly suggest?
Writing Prompt
The central conflict of the play is the feud between the Montagues and Capulets. What questions does Shakespeare raise for you, the reader, about this conflict during this scene?
Questions about the text that will help guide the students understanding
- In the opening of the scene, we meet Friar Lawrence. Where is he and what is he doing?
- What does this line reveal that the Friar is thinking about when Romeo enters? “For naught so vile that on the Earth doth live but to the earth some special good doth give.” What additional lines continue to establish this line of thought?
- What does Friar Lawrence realize about Romeo in lines 40–45? What is he afraid has happened?
- How does Romeo respond to hearing Rosaline’s name? What does Shakespeare’s decision to bring Rosaline up again communicate about young love?
- What does Friar Lawrence say to further establish this theme of young love?
- How does Shakespeare develop the theme of good vs. evil in this scene? Explain.
- How is the conflict further developed in this scene?
Suggestions for teachers to help them teach this lesson
- In some editions of the play, the scenes in act 2 are numbered differently. This unit is based on the Folger edition.
- Possible questions that it might raise for students: Why do Romeo and Juliet have to die? Can love defeat hate? Why does Friar Lawrence allow Romeo to try and marry Juliet? Is Friar Lawrence just making the problem worse? What will Romeo and Juliet’s families do when they discover this love affair? What is Romeo planning to do once they are married? Run away? Hope their parents accept the union? Keep the marriage secret?
- Romeo and Juliet — Prologue (p. 7); Act 1, Scene 1 (pp. 9–15)
- Romeo and Juliet — Prologue
- Street Love — Prologue
Explain the function of the prologue in Romeo and Juliet .
Analyze the conflict in act 1, scene 1.
- Romeo and Juliet — Act 1, Scene 1 (pp. 17–25)
- “If No Love Is, Oh God, What Fele I So”
- “Petrarch”
Analyze Shakespeare’s characterizations of Romeo and Benvolio.
Analyze how Shakespeare continues to develop the theme of fate in act 1, scene 2.
Analyze Shakespeare’s characterization of the three female characters introduced in act 1, scene 3.
Analyze Shakespeare’s characterization of Mercutio and describe his relationship with Romeo.
Analyze Shakespeare’s characterization of Romeo.
Explain in a well-crafted essay how Shakespeare and Luhrmann each create mood in act 1, scene 5.
Explain how the interactions between Romeo and Juliet develop the themes of the play.
Examine the differences between Romeo the lover and Romeo the friend.
Analyze how Shakespeare develops the theme of young love in act 2, scenes 5-6.
Identify instances of foreshadowing in act 2, scenes 5-6.
Analyze how the events of act 3, scene 1 further communicate the theme of fate.
Analyze the events of act 3, scene 2 and the impact they have on the plot development.
Compare Romeo’s and Juliet’s reactions to his banishment and analyze what these reactions reveal about character and theme.
Analyze the connections drawn between love and death in act 3, scene 5.
Analyze Juliet’s character development in act 3, scene 5.
Analyze Juliet’s actions and motivations for her actions in act 4, scenes 1–3.
Analyze how Shakespeare develops the theme of young love in act 4, scenes 1-3.
Explain how Myers draws on and transforms ideas from Romeo and Juliet to develop the themes, characters, and/or conflict of Street Love .
Analyze the individual characters’ reactions to Juliet’s death.
Identify how the tone shifts in act 4, scene 5.
Analyze how Shakespeare uses the plot to develop the theme of fate in act 5, scenes 1–2.
Analyze the degree to which fate shaped the deaths of the protagonists.
Develop an opinion about the significance of the final scene and its relationship to earlier scenes.
Discussion & Writing
Discuss and debate the essential thematic questions of the unit.
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Romeo and Juliet
William shakespeare, ask litcharts ai: the answer to your questions, friar laurence quotes in romeo and juliet.
For naught so vile that on the earth doth live But to the earth some special good doth give; Nor aught so good but, strain'd from that fair use, Revolts from true birth, stumbling on the abuse: Virtue itself turns vice, being misapplied; And vice sometimes by action dignified.
Or bid me go into a new-made grave, And hide me with a dead man in his shroud - Things that, to hear them told, have made me tremble - And I will do it without fear or doubt, To live an unstain'd wife to my sweet love.
Oxford Education Blog
The latest news and views on education from oxford university press., character insight: friar lawrence.
Part of our series of posts that focus on a key character from exam set texts. Offering alternative interpretations and insights, these are ideal for sharing with students as they revise and prepare for their English Literature exams.
“Virtue itself turns vice, being misapplied”
When we are introduced to Friar Lawrence, it is via his soliloquy – a series of oxymoronic statements about the natural world, its ability to heal and to destroy in equal measure. His words are a metaphor for human nature and for the constant battle between good and evil. For me, his words are also indicative of his part in the narrative of Romeo and Juliet, ‘Virtue itself turns vice, being misapplied’. It is this very misapplication of his role and responsibility that hastens the tragedy. Friar Lawrence is typically analysed as wise, trustworthy, caring, well-intentioned. However, he could equally be analysed as a scheming, political character who well knows how he could benefit from being seen to bring about a reconciliation between two warring clans. He is at best misguided, at worst vainglorious and willing to take great risks with the lives of others in order to fulfil his ambition to reconcile the feuding overlords of his city.
Friars, unlike monks or priests, were itinerant (travelling) and mendicant (begging) – meaning they had no way of supporting themselves and were entirely reliant on the charity of the communities they visited. Friars were dedicated to teaching and preaching whilst monks were usually based in monasteries and dedicated their lives to prayer and study. Perhaps Shakespeare just wanted a holy label with a certain poetry and rhythm to it (Priest / Monk Lawrence has less of a cadence about it!) but this context is worth considering:
- Might Friar Lawrence be all the more likely to benefit personally from peace and stability which also meant wealth and prosperity for a city?
- Does it also suggest he is simply able to move on if things get tricky for him?
- Should we ask if he is as thoroughly committed to Verona as we tend to assume?
- Could his role as teacher incentivise him to intervene with the two young lovers despite the consequences?
Friar Lawrence’s consent to marrying Romeo and Juliet in Act 2, Scene 3 is highly irresponsible given what he says elsewhere in this same scene.
1) He accuses Romeo of falling for a woman’s good looks: ‘Young men’s love then lies / Not truly in their hearts, but in their eyes.’ This is a worrying accusation and one which suggests he knows full well that Romeo is likely to be truly in love as he barely knows Juliet.
2) He acknowledges Romeo’s fickle nature –‘Is Rosaline, that thou didst love so dear, / So soon forsaken?’
3) He makes it plain that he believes Romeo is unreliable, ‘Women may fall, when there’s no strength in me.’
4) He addresses him as ‘young waverer’, again drawing attention to his inconsistent nature.
5) In the same handful of lines, he tells Romeo that he doesn’t know what love is and that he mistakes obsession for love: ‘For doting, not for loving’.
Doesn’t all this make him suspicious of Romeo’s latest declaration of love? It seems that Juliet is a price he’s willing to pay. His offer of help is clearly driven by his desire to ‘turn your households’ rancour to pure love’. His final advice to Romeo is not only ironic but hypocritical too – ‘Wisely and slow’ is quite the opposite of the Friar’s own actions.
Useful Vocabulary – you could use these words to explore character, context and events:
well-intentioned itinerant trustworthy compassionate mendicant reckless irresponsible misguided ambitious self-motivated vainglorious political scheming complex oxymoronic
Jill Carter is an Advanced Skills Teacher and former Leader of English and has been teaching for 23 years. Jill currently works part-time as an English teacher and GCSE Interventionist, as well as authoring for Oxford University Press.
Take a look at the RSC School Shakespeare: Romeo and Juliet. Produced in partnership with the RSC, and featuring vibrant RSC performance photographs to bring the play to life in the classroom, this series helps students establish a lasting understanding and appreciation of Shakespeare’s work.
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Juliet and Friar Laurence: Character development
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- Grade 9 ELA Module 1, Unit 3, Lesson 14
Bilingual Language Progressions
These resources, developed by the New York State Education Department, provide standard-level scaffolding suggestions for English Language Learners (ELLs) to help them meet grade-level demands. Each resource contains scaffolds at multiple levels of language acquisition and describes the linguistic demands of the standards to help ELA teachers as well as ESL/bilingual teachers scaffold content for their English learning students.
- CCSS Standard:
- RL.9.10.3 ,
- William Shakespeare
- Romeo and Juliet
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Friar Lawrence Character Analysis Essay Sample
Arguably one of Shakespeare’s most popular works, Romeo and Juliet, a story of lovers doomed by fate, features many characters and people that readers can determine whether or not act realistically. All the characters’ actions and emotions are different, but some characters are made more believable than others. One of the most believable characters is Friar Lawrence, as throughout the play, the actions and emotions he displays to try to help Romeo and Juliet as they get married despite their families’ feud reveal his character. There are several examples of Friar Lawrence showing believable traits, but some of the most prominent were well-devised plans, his rational responses and understandings of other characters, and his genuine and positive intentions. With these qualities displayed, Friar Lawrence is made a believable character.
Friar Lawrence and his plans are actually a root cause for the plot of this play and in this way, although things almost always go wrong, he displays the traits of logic and thoroughness, both of which are believable attributes. With ideas in place, the Friar comes up with several diligent plans over the course of the play. For example, after several somewhat successful plans to marry Romeo and Juliet and keep them in secret, Friar Lawernce develops a very tedious plan to help Romeo and Juliet escape Verona. He uses knowledge and cleverness to have Juliet fake her death by using a herb that would put her into a state of deathly appearance, and then Romeo would retrieve her by the time the herb wore off and the two could run away. This plan was well put together and thought out, and if it was executed perfectly it would certainly work. However, even with Friar Lawernce’s use of logic, the plan definitely does not work perfectly which actually reinforces the believability of this character. This is because oftentimes, in real life, even well put together plans, have a tendency to never work out perfectly or completely fail. So, Shakespeare writes the Friar as a believable character by giving him the cleverness to develop elaborate plans, while also giving him the capability of failure.
Another thing that makes Friar Lawence a believable character are his rational responses to other characters' irrational actions and reactions. Many of the characters in this play have dramatic and over exaggerated reactions. Two very notable instances of this are actually both with interactions between Friar Lawrence and Romeo. First, when Romeo comes to Friar Lawrence after meeting Juliet, he tells him he wants to marry Juliet and is in love with her. In response, Friar Lawernce, who realizes that Romeo claimed to be in love with Rosaline just a little while ago, says: “Is Rosaline, that thou didst love so dear, so soon forsaken? Young men’s love then lies not truly in their hearts, but in their eyes.” In other words, Friar Lawernce is recognizing Romeo’s capricious behavior and speaking out as to the fact that Romeo is being hasty and only “loving” people for their looks, as many people do in real life, therefore demonstrating Friar Lawrence’s realism and relating to the audience. Another example is when Romeo had gone to Friar Lawrence for safety after killing Tyablt in a fight. Under the circumstances, Romeo is complaining about how terrible his situation is, as he is now to be banished rather than killed. However, Friar Lawrence, with an appropriate and reasonable reaction says: “O deadly sin, O rude unthankfulness![...]This is dear mercy, and thou seest it not.” This shows that the Friar is understanding that Romeo should be grateful for how fortune has treated him and therefore it shows the sensibility of Friar Lawrence. Friar Lawrence is believable because he does not have unsound reactions, but instead has a realistic and pragmatic point of view.
A third reason why Friar Lawrence is a believable character is because of his authentic manners and well-intentioned actions. In relationships and interactions with characters in the story, Friar Lawrence demonstrates a genuine personality that can be related to real life. As mentioned before, Friar Lawrence seems to only have good intentions, mainly in the way of helping others and specifically wanting to help to unite the Montague and Capulet families and bring peace to many. Shakespeare displays examples of this when he writes the Friar’s thoughts of what would happen if he were to marry Romeo and Juliet. He writes, from the perspective of Friar Lawrence, “ In one respect I’ll thy assistant be, for this alliance may so happy prove to turn your households’ rancor to pure love.” The Friar is saying here that if he were to marry them, their families would love each other and stop hating each other. The reason this proves how the Friar is a relatable character and ultimately a believable character is because it is a common real life characteristic to want to be helpful to others and demonstrate care through actions. So, by including these details about Friar Lawrence, the reader can relate to him and find him believable.
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Friar Lawrence Persuasive Quotes
This essay about the persuasive quotes of Friar Lawrence in “Romeo and Juliet,” showcasing his profound insights into love, fate, and human nature. Through his cautionary words on the dangers of unchecked passion, his advice advocating prudence and deliberation, and his metaphorical reflections on the interconnectedness of life, Friar Lawrence emerges as a moral guide in the play. His wisdom serves as a beacon amidst the chaos of conflicting emotions, offering invaluable counsel to the star-crossed lovers and reminding audiences of the enduring relevance of his words.
How it works
Throughout William Shakespeare’s renowned tragedy “Romeo and Juliet,” Friar Lawrence emerges as a pivotal character whose words hold profound persuasive power, shaping the destiny of the star-crossed lovers. His wisdom, though often overshadowed by the youthful passion of the protagonists, offers crucial insights into the themes of love, fate, and the consequences of impulsive actions.
One of Friar Lawrence’s most compelling quotes revolves around the nature of love itself: “These violent delights have violent ends.” In this poignant statement, he warns Romeo about the dangers of unchecked passion.
By likening love to a “violent delight,” the Friar underscores its intoxicating allure, which can lead to reckless decisions and tragic outcomes. This quote serves as a sobering reminder of the turbulent nature of love, urging caution and restraint in matters of the heart.
Furthermore, Friar Lawrence’s advice to Juliet encapsulates his role as a moral guide in the play: “Wisely and slow; they stumble that run fast.” Through these words, he advocates for prudence and deliberation, cautioning against impulsive actions driven by haste. By urging Juliet to proceed “wisely and slow,” the Friar emphasizes the importance of thoughtful consideration and foresight in navigating life’s challenges. This quote highlights Friar Lawrence’s role as a voice of reason amidst the chaos of conflicting emotions, offering invaluable counsel to those ensnared in the throes of passion.
Additionally, Friar Lawrence’s reflection on the dual nature of herbs serves as a metaphor for the complexities of human existence: “For naught so vile that on the earth doth live / But to the earth some special good doth give.” Through these lines, he speaks to the interconnectedness of life, suggesting that even the most seemingly insignificant aspects of existence possess inherent value and purpose. This quote underscores the Friar’s philosophical insight, encouraging contemplation of the deeper meanings concealed within the fabric of reality.
In conclusion, Friar Lawrence’s persuasive quotes in “Romeo and Juliet” offer profound insights into the complexities of love, fate, and human nature. From cautionary tales about the perils of unchecked passion to wise counsel on the virtues of prudence and deliberation, his words resonate with timeless wisdom that transcends the boundaries of the stage. As a moral compass guiding the protagonists through the tumultuous landscape of their forbidden love, Friar Lawrence’s influence reverberates throughout the play, reminding audiences of the enduring power of his words.
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Friar Laurence
Personality.
It is clear that Friar Laurence is a thoughtful and kind individual. He genuinely seems to care for Romeo and, despite a degree of scepticism initially, performs the rite of marriage for the lovers. He also attempts to help them at each juncture, be that marrying them, offering to keep Romeo informed following his banishment (he doesn’t nail that one…), or offering a way to try and allow Juliet to be with Romeo via the potion he gives her. But though this comes from a kindness, it is important to consider whether helping them achieve what they wanted, was also the best thing for them. Fate may have dictated how things would end, but it seems as though the Friar paved some of the journey towards it.
Another contrast to consider is the fine line between optimism and naivety. On hearing of Romeo’s plan to marry Juliet, he agrees to do so as “this alliance may so happy prove,/ To turn your households’ rancour to pure love.” The irony is, it will do exactly that, but not in the way intended. Shakespeare even allows the sentiment to jar, with the imperfect rhyme of “love” and “prove” a hint that it won’t be straightforward. This optimism however, is key to moving the plot forward. Even the Nurse eventually concedes that Juliet might be better off marrying Paris; it is only the Friar who supports them until the end (well, just before the end… when he abandons Juliet in a tomb alongside her dead husband, dead cousin and dead ex-suitor…)
Though it is evident that Friar Laurence made some mistakes along the way, he is undoubtedly quite brave. He stands to lose a lot if his role is discovered, a point that he concedes when admitting his part and saying “let my old life/ Be sacrific’d.” Marrying the couple, knowing full well that the parents of each would not approve, was a big deal at that time, given the ownership of a father over his daughter. He also successfully provides Juliet with a potion that convinces her family she is dead but doesn’t kill her. It’s fair to say, he isn’t your run of the mill clergyman.
But he is selfish too. His reason for marrying them initially is to end their parents’ feud; he is openly sceptical about Romeo’s change of heart, shifting his attention from Rosaline to Juliet, but still goes ahead with it. The biggy is when he finds Juliet in the tomb. Baz Luhrmann presumably omitted it from the film, to emphasise the tragic romance of the two lovers. But in the play, he enters after Romeo has died and Juliet has awoken. He tries to get her to leave. But he says, he will “dispose of thee/ Among a sisterhood of holy nuns.” So he wants to chuck her in a nunnery so they don’t get found out. Nice use of “dispose” there as well… And finally, when he hears a noise outside he says “I dare no longer stay.” He is unwilling to risk his own skin to stay with Juliet, and he definitely bears a degree of responsibility. When giving Juliet he says “if thou darest” and she shows her courage. When offered his own chance to be brave, he fails. Interesting to consider that the religious figure in the play is fairly high up on the responsibility list for letting Romeo and Juliet down.
Key Quotations
“Within the infant rind of this weak flower/ Poison hath residence and medicine power.” (Act II, Sc iii)
Instructing Romeo about Rosaline: “For doting, not for loving, pupil mine.”_ (Act II, Sc iii)_
Why he supports their marriage: “This alliance may so happy prove,/ To turn your households’ rancour to pure love.” (Act II, Sc iii)
At the wedding: “These violent delights have violent ends,/ And in their triumph die, like fire and powder/ Which, as they kiss consume.” (Act II, Sc v)
On Romeo’s ingratitude: “O deadly sin! O rude unthankfulness!” (Act III, Sc iii)
Romeo on the Friar: “Thou canst not speak of that thou dost not feel.” (Act III, Sc iii)
Plan for Juliet: “If thou dar’st, I’ll give thee remedy.”_ (Act IV, Sc i)_
To her family when Juliet is believed to be dead: “Peace, ho! For shame! Confusion’s cure lives not/ In these confusions.” (Act IV, Sc v)
On the letter not reaching Romeo: “Get me an iron crow, and bring it straight/ Unto my cell.” (Act V, Sc ii)
To Juliet: “A greater power than we can contradict/ Hath thwarted our intents.” “Come, I’ll dispose of thee/ Among a sisterhood of holy nuns.”_ (Act V, Sc iii)_
To Juliet: “I dare no longer stay.” (Act V, Sc iii)
Involving the Nurse: “To the marriage/ Her nurse is privy.”_ (Act V, Sc iii)_
On punishment: “Let my old life/ Be sacrific’d(…)/ Unto the rigour of severest law.” (Act V, Sc iii)
The Prince: “We still have known thee for a holy man.”_ (Act V, Sc iii)_
Exemplar Essay: Fate
How does Shakespeare present the theme of fate?
Read this extract from Act 5 Scene 2 of Romeo and Juliet and then answer the question that follows. At this point in the play the Friar John has returned unsuccessfully from trying to deliver Friar Laurence’s letter to Romeo.
Going to find a bare-foot brother out
One of our order, to associate me,
Here in this city visiting the sick,
And finding him, the searchers of the town,
Suspecting that we both were in a house
Where the infectious pestilence did reign,
Seal'd up the doors, and would not let us forth;
So that my speed to Mantua there was stay'd.
FRIAR LAURENCE
Who bare my letter, then, to Romeo?
I could not send it,--here it is again,--
Nor get a messenger to bring it thee,
So fearful were they of infection.
Unhappy fortune! by my brotherhood,
The letter was not nice but full of charge
Of dear import, and the neglecting it
May do much danger. Friar John, go hence;
Get me an iron crow, and bring it straight
Unto my cell.
Starting with this extract, explore how Shakespeare presents fate as a force that controls the characters.
Write about:
• how Shakespeare presents fate in this extract.
• how Shakespeare presents fate in the play as a whole.
AO4 [4 marks]
Romeo and Juliet is about how strong emotions have tragic consequences. Through the theme of fate, Shakespeare invites his audience to question how far the characters’ tragic deaths were predetermined and how far they were decided by Romeo and Juliet’s impulsive actions. He also invites the audience to consider how far their future is decided by societal norms - not fate.
In the extract, Shakespeare implies that fate has prevented the letter from reaching Friar John. In lines 5-8, Shakespeare has Friar John state that he was unable to deliver the letter due to an ‘infectious pestilence’, which resulted in the doors of Mantua being ‘sealed’. While Shakespeare does not state explicitly that it is fate that has caused the plague to hit Mantua at the very moment that Friar John needs to deliver an important letter to Romeo, his Elizabethan audience, strong believers in the power of the stars and planets to predetermine our futures, would have seen this as more than an unhappy coincidence. It does therefore seem that fate is working against Romeo and Juliet.
In the extract, Shakespeare also suggests that Friar Laurence blames fate for this unfortunate event. In line 14, Shakespeare has Friar Laurence cry ‘unhappy fortune!’. In other words, Friar Laurence is stating that it is terribly bad luck that the letter has not reached Romeo. Shakespeare’s use of the word ‘fortune’ implies that Friar Laurence blames a higher power for this coincidence. Friar Laurence’s words could echo the Elizabethan audience’s fears that fate has already decided Romeo and Juliet are doomed. Shakespeare’s choice for the letter to be undelivered creates tension for the audience, as they begin to wonder if Romeo and Juliet are drawing ever-closer to their tragic deaths.
In the prologue, Shakespeare makes clear that Romeo and Juliet are doomed to die. The first time the audience is introduced to Romeo and Juliet, Shakespeare describes their love as ‘death-marked’, which immediately tells the audience that the lovers will die tragically. An Elizabethan audience, who believed in fate, would have believed it possible for Romeo and Juliet’s fate to be decided from birth. By introducing Romeo and Juliet to the audience in this way, perhaps Shakespeare invites the audience to closely scrutinise the actions taken by all of the characters and decide for themselves how far fate is to blame for the tragic deaths.
However, in the play as a whole, Romeo acts impulsively, which contributes to his tragic downfall. The moment he meets Juliet, Romeo forgets Rosaline, his previous love, and asks ‘did my heart love till now?’. This surprising and impulsive change of mind is a stark example of the tragic flaw that leads Romeo towards his death, and is just the first of many similar actions: Romeo marries Juliet the day after meeting her; he murders Tybalt without thinking of the consequence threatened by Prince Escalus; he rushes to Verona with poison and takes it before Juliet wakes. Shakespeare’s presentation of Romeo in this way indicates that Romeo’s depth of passion and emotion are partly to blame for the speed at which he and Juliet are catapulted towards their deaths. If Romeo had been able to think more clearly and rationally rather than rushing to action before considering the consequences, perhaps some of the tragedy could have been avoided.
Also in the play as whole, Shakespeare explores how the restrictions of arranged marriage force Juliet closer to her tragic death. Unlike Romeo, whose impulsive actions are within his control as a man in the Elizabethan era, Juliet’s future is out of her hands. Before the audience meets Juliet in person, we witness a discussion about her between Lord Capulet and Paris. Although Lord Capulet is protective over Juliet, urging Paris to wait for two more years as Juliet is still a ‘stranger in the world’, he does consent to Paris wooing Juliet before asking Juliet’s views. It is clear, therefore, that Juliet has limited say in her future. The audience cannot help but wonder how the marriage between Romeo and Juliet can end happily, given that she has chosen her own suitor and has gone as far as to choose the son of her father’s arch-enemy. Later in the play, when Lord Capulet decides to speed up the marriage, Juliet is pressured to take action. Knowing that she will ‘hang, beg, starve, die in the streets’ if she refuses to marry Paris, Juliet feels she has no option but to consent, and plan an escape. Perhaps if Lord Capulet had not chosen to bring the marriage forward by two years, Juliet may have had an opportunity to be reunited with Romeo. Shakespeare could therefore be challenging traditional patriarchal attitudes to marriage, in which the daughter has limited say over her husband, because this is arguably a contributing factor in Juliet’s death.
In conclusion, it is clear that there are many references to fate within the play that indicate a higher power could be dictating Romeo and Juliet’s future but Shakespeare’s presentation of Romeo’s tragic flaw and arranged marriage certainly invite the audience to consider how far events may have played out differently if the characters had made different decisions.
In the extract, Shakespeare suggests that fate has prevented the letter from reaching Friar John. In lines 5-8, Shakespeare has Friar John state ‘Where the infectious pestilence did reign, Seal'd up the doors’. In other words, Friar John is saying that he couldn’t deliver the letter because he wasn’t allowed into Mantua dye to the plague. Although Shakespeare does not state that fate has stopped Friar John from delivering the letter, it is hinted at. His Elizabethan audience, who believed that the stars and planets could decide their futures, would have believed that fate stopped Friar John from delivering the letter. Therefore it does seem that fate is working against Romeo and Juliet.
In the extract, Shakespeare also suggests that Friar Laurence blames fate. In line 14, Shakespeare has Friar Laurence cry ‘unhappy fortune!’. In other words, Friar Laurence is stating that it is very bad luck that the letter has not reached Romeo. Shakespeare’s use of the word ‘fortune’ implies that Friar Laurence blames a higher power for this. The Elizabethan audience would have understood why Friar Laurence blames a higher power because they believed in fate. Shakespeare’s choice for the letter to be undelivered creates tension for the audience because they begin to wonder if Romeo and Juliet will soon die.
In the prologue, Shakespeare makes clear that Romeo and Juliet are doomed to die. The first time the audience is introduced to Romeo and Juliet, Shakespeare describes their love as ‘death-marked’, which immediately tells the audience that the lovers will not lead long and happy lives. An Elizabethan audience, who believed in fate, would have believed it was possible for Romeo and Juliet’s fate to be decided from birth. Shakespeare could have described Romeo and Juliet as ‘death-marked’ because he wanted his audience to think very carefully about the actions the characters take and decide if it was fate or their own choices that caused them to die.
However, in the play as a whole, Romeo acts impulsively, which contributes to his death. When Romeo sees Juliet at the Capulet ball, Shakespeare has him ask ‘did my heart love till now?’. This question is very surprising because moments earlier Romeo was claiming to be madly in love with Rosaline. This reveals that Romeo is impulsive and quickly changes his mind. We also see that Romeo is impulsive when he kills Tybalt and when he takes the poison at Juliet’s tomb. Shakespeare presents Romeo as impulsive because he wants to show how dangerous it can be when you act quickly on your feelings without thinking about the consequences. It could be argued that Romeo’s impulsive actions are the cause of his death rather than fate.
Also in the play as whole, Shakespeare presents Juliet’s arranged marriage as a cause of her death. Unlike Romeo, Juliet is not able to choose who she marries. When Juliet refuses to marry Paris, Shakespeare has Lord Capulet order her to ‘hang, beg, starve, die in the streets’. Shakespeare’s use of violent language demonstrates how trapped Juliet is because, if she chooses not to marry Paris, she will be thrown out and left to die. As a result of Lord Capulet rushing the marriage, Juliet asks for Friar Laurence’s help to fake her own death. Because of her faking her own death and the letter not reaching Romeo, he thinks she is actually dead and kills himself. Maybe if Juliet hadn’t been told she was going to marry Paris straight away, she might have had time to reunite with Romeo properly, which could have stopped her death. Shakespeare could therefore be suggesting that Juliet’s arranged marriage caused her death, rather than fate. Perhaps he wanted to challenge traditional views towards marriage in the Elizabethan era.
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Romeo and Juliet Grade 9 Essay Exemplar GCSE English Literature
Subject: English
Age range: 14-16
Resource type: Assessment and revision
Last updated
16 September 2023
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This product contains an essay that is two sides of A4. This grade 9 essay response is based on the question 'Starting with this extract, explore Shakespeare’s ideas about fate.’ This essay was rewarded for being a simple yet high-level response to the question, easy to digest and replicate in your own responses. It features clear topic sentences, quotes, critical analysis with identification of literary techniques and context. I am a former student on the AQA specification and achieved a 9 in English Literature as a result of creating this resource.
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ROMEO & JULIET REVISION PACK- Essay Plans, A Quote Bank , Character Profiles, Theme Summaries,Context,Exemplar Essay and Plot Summary
**OVER 40 PAGES WORTH OF WORK! 8 ESSAY PLANS, 5 THEME ANALYSIS MAPS, 8 CHARACTER PROFILES, 6 PAGE QUOTE BANK, 2 PAGE ESSAY EXEMPLAR, 2 PAGE CONTEXT GUIDE AND BOOK SUMMARY.** This pack has all the materials that I used to get a Grade 9 in GCSE English Literature. This pack has 8 essay plans (quotes, literary and historical context, topic sentences) on the main themes and characters in Romeo & Juliet (with practice questions included). The specific essay plan themes/characters included in this bundle are: Role of Women, Fate, Love, Death, Romeo & Juliet, Mercutio, Friar Lawrence, Conflict. There are character profiles for each character (Romeo, Juliet, condensed versions for: Tybalt, the Nurse, Lord Capulet, Lady Capulet, Friar Lawrence, Mercutio), detailing their role in the play, key quotes, development in the play and context relating to them. I have included a context guide which details the social and literary context of the play. The plot summary is a quick description of everything that happens in the play, perfect for revision. The theme analysis maps offer a detailed analysis on the 5 main themes of the play (love, violence & conflict, fate, family, individual vs society). The quote bank includes the most important quotes for each character and the main themes of the play. Each quote has a technique and specific analysis paired with it. I have also included a grade 9 exemplar essay.
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Home / Essay Samples / Literature / Romeo and Juliet / Friar Lawrence’s Role in Romeo and Juliet Tragedy
Friar Lawrence's Role in Romeo and Juliet Tragedy
- Category: Literature
- Topic: Romeo and Juliet , Tragedy
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