Friar Lawrence’s role is one of great significance in the tragedy of Romeo and Juliet. His character is a very wise and intelligent one that is knowledgeable one in many areas. He proves his prudent characteristic with his clever plan in the marriage of Romeo and Juliet, knowledge on herbs and potions, and beliefs on Marriage. The secretive plan that Friar Lawrence schemed was in essence to reunite two quarreling families and evade civil strife in Verona. The Friar devises a plan where, Juliet will appear dead so as to avoid the marriage of her to Paris. Soon after this, Juliet can run away with Romeo so as to live the life he sought. Juliet drinks the vial (Act IV, scene iii) and descends into her temporary death. Friar John encounters a problem while delivering the message of Juliet’s early “drinking of the vial”. Friar John is quarantined and Romeo incorrectly receives the message that Juliet has died. He then goes to the place of Juliet’s body and kills himself. He also takes the life of others by the means of physical anger and emotional grief. All these deaths cause the peace treaty between the two families therefore fulfilling Friar Lawrence’s plan (Act V, scene iii). Furthermore, He is also knowledgeable in the use of herbs and potions. This is clearly shown when Juliet takes the vial of potion that causes her to appear dead (Act IV, scene iii). Moreover, Lawrence shows more of his sensible attitude in the beliefs of marriage that he respects. He married Romeo and Juliet (Act II, scene v) being careful not to break the rules of Roman Catholicism. He also advised the both to marry wisely and not marries out of first sight. He commented that the young can be fickle since Romeo suddenly appeared to him with a new love.
Friar Lawrence was a good friend to both Romeo and Juliet. Romeo came to him often searching advice for his love life. Juliet, also sought advice from Friar Lawrence and he became only better friends to both as he seemed to be on their side...