During times of distress, it is not uncommon for people to attempt to brighten up a dark situation. In doing so, promises that were once made may fall through, never finishing the desired task. The play Romeo and Juliet,written by William Shakespeare, takes place in Verona, Italy, the home of the Montagues and Capulets. These families, however, have always been in a feud. Romeo, a Montague, and Juliet, a Capulet, become star-crossed lovers after seeing each other just once at a family event. As expected, members from each family would never allow their child to marry someone from the opposite family. Despite their thoughts, the two teenagers fall into a deeper love, that is later impacted by a close family member. As …show more content…
Throughout the play, Friar Laurence shows signs of deceitfulness, involving him in the tragic deaths of Romeo and Juliet. Friar knew about more than what members of the Capulet and Montague families did, but didn’t say anything to anyone. He was basically playing two sides throughout the story; Romeo and Juliet’s side, and the parents’ side. For instance, he obeys Romeo and Juliet’s wishes of keeping their love life private, when he knows that their parents despise each other. Friar Laurence also agrees to marry Romeo and Juliet in secret, which truly shows his deception. He first speaks to Romeo and Juliet in his cell about marriage plans, with no …show more content…
Friar Laurence tries to take the easy way out of difficult situations; he could have tried to resolve the family feud by acting as the peacemaker, but instead went through more trouble to promote Romeo and Juliet’s love, hoping for the best. He avoids dealing with his problems as responsible adult, as well. For example, after Friar Laurence finds Romeo and Juliet dead in the courtyard, he panics. Once Juliet regains consciousness, he tells her, “Stay not to question, for the watch is coming./ Come, go good Juliet. I dare no longer stay,” (5.3. 170-171). Friar Laurence knows that what he did was wrong, and that he will be in much trouble if the watchmen were to find him. Because of this, he simply leaves Juliet alone, and rushes to his safety. If Friar Laurence were to stay with Juliet, he may have been able to convince her not to take her own life. Since he did not, she made her own decision to be with Romeo in death, without even saying goodbye to her family and friends. Friar Laurence is a coward, due to the fact that he did not take responsibilities for his actions, and let Romeo and Juliet