Another key character is that of Friar Lawrence, who is arguably the most influential character for Juliet in the whole play. Towards the beginning of the play, Friar Lawrence agrees to marry Romeo and Juliet through a somewhat rash decision. He does not think of the consequences, or the possible outcomes, and instead quickly agrees to the marriage in the hope that the marriage would bury their parent’s strife.
“For this alliance may so happy prove, to turn your households’ rancour to pure love.”
The Friar appears with Juliet later on in the play. She threatens to kill herself rather than to marry Paris and declares that she will comply with any plan of the Friar’s, however desperate.
“Twist my extremes and me; this bloody knife shall play the umpire, arbitrating that which the commission of thy years and art could to no issue of true honour bring.”
Again, the Friar seems to make a rash decision by coming up with the plan using the potion, and perhaps does not think of the possible consequences of his actions. Obviously it is Juliet’s decision as what action to take, but she feels so strongly that she would rather die than marry Paris, so she would have followed any plan of the Friar’s.
In the penultimate scene, Friar John tells Friar Lawrence how he was unable to deliver the letter to Romeo which told him about Juliet’s potion.
“I could not send it- here it is again- nor get a messenger to bring it thee, so fearful were they of infection.”
John doesn’t realise the importance of the letter, as Lawrence informs him of it in this scene.
“The letter was not nice, but full of charge of dear import, and the neglecting it ma do much danger.”
It seems that Lawrence should have told John about the significance of the letter, so he would have prioritized more on the delivery. Again, if the letter had been delivered successfully, then the suicides would have been avoided.
The County Paris affects Juliet’s fate by wishing to marry her. Earlier on in the play, Capulet is fairly decided that he wishes Juliet not to marry for at least two years. Later on however, after being persuaded by Paris, he decides that she shall marry him. Paris puts Juliet under more pressure by visiting her when she goes to seek Friar Lawrence.
“Happily met, my lady and my wife!”
To describe the fate of Juliet, I would say that it is affected by her to an extent, but more by the world around her.
Nick Jones
