Friar Laurence

A mentor to both Romeo and Juliet, Friar Laurence constantly advises them to act with more caution and moderation. But Friar Laurence's own plans to help Romeo and Juliet end in tragedy. He's the guy, after all, who gives Juliet the concoction that puts her in a deep, deep, slumber that fools her family (and Romeo) into thinking she's dead. This makes Friar Laurence one of the most complex and interesting characters in the play: we don't know if he should be blamed or not. The1968 Zeffirelli film version of Romeo and Juliet highlights the irony of the Friar's role in the play. When the Friar tells Romeo, "Wisely and slow. They stumble that run fast," it is the Friar, not Romeo, who trips over his feet immediately afterwards (2.3.10). Zeffirelli also makes the Friar look like a coward when he runs out of the Capulet tomb in 5.3, leaving Juliet alone with Romeo's corpse. We also think the Friar is running a little too fast in his haste to use these kids (that would be Romeo and Juliet) as tools to patch up a hopeless family feud (2.2.9).

If you want to think about Friar Laurence some more, you might look at his relationship with Romeo and Juliet. How long has he known Romeo? Is he actually like a second father to him? Are they more like buddies? What is his relationship to Juliet? How long has he been her confessor? Does he also seem like a father to her?