What role does Friar Lawrence play in the tragedy of the lovers and how responsible is he for their death?

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What role does Friar Lawrence play in the tragedy of the lovers and how responsible is he for their death?

“Romeo and Juliet” is one of Shakespeare’s tragedies, which tells the story of two lovers who belong to two feuding families, the Montagues and the Capulets. Romeo is a Montague who is in love with Rosaline. He finds out that the Capulets are having a feast and Rosaline will be there. Romeo goes, and meets Juliet. Little does he know that Juliet’s father wants her to marry Paris. Juliet is against this, and the next day, Romeo asks Friar Lawrence to marry him and Juliet in secret. The nurse then passes the message on to Juliet and tells her that the wedding is arranged for two o’clock. They get married in the chapel, and Romeo sees the Capulets in the street. Tybalt kills Mercutio, Romeo’s best friend, so Romeo kills Tybalt. Romeo is banished to Mantua. Romeo would rather die than be banished because he will have to be away from Juliet. Paris then asks Juliet’s father if he can marry his daughter. Juliet and Romeo have their last night together. In the morning, Juliet finds out she has to marry Paris. Juliet asks Friar Lawrence for help because everyone else has let her down. Juliet apologises to her father before the wedding, and takes the potion from Friar Lawrence. Juliet is found apparently dead. Romeo gets a muffled message that Juliet is really dead, and he buys some poison. Friar Lawrence then realises that Romeo received the wrong message. Romeo meets Paris in the tomb, he kills him, says goodbye to Juliet, takes the poison and dies. Juliet awakes to find Romeo dead by her side and kills herself with his dagger.

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Although Friar Lawrence is not mentioned a lot in the plot, he still plays a central role. He is the person who marries the couple, in spite of his doubts. He knows how fickle Romeo is, and he knows that only a day ago, he was pining away for Rosaline. He also thinks that it is too early to marry a couple whom only met yesterday. The Friar says,

“Holy Saint Francis, what a change is here!

Is Rosaline, whom thou didst love so dear,

So soon forsaken?

Young men’s love then lies

Not truly ...

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