Romeo and Juliet Letter to Prince Escalus from Friar Laurence.

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Romeo and Juliet Letter to Prince Escalus from Friar Laurence.

Dear Prince Escalus,

        I need to explain to thee of mine actions concerning Romeo and Juliet.  As you yourself must understand the feud between the Montague’s and Capulet’s hath been going on for too long.  Mine intentions were good and I did not expect them to lead to such a tragedy.        

        

Juliet told me that she couldn’t marry Paris even though her family wished it.  His wealth didn’t interest her because she didn’t love him.  

When Romeo and Juliet met, they fell in love straight away.  Even though their families were deadly enemies they married in secret.  I consented to marry them because I believed it would end the problems between the two families.  ‘In one respect I’ll thy be; for this alliance may so happy prove, to turn your households rancor to pure love.’

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I risked my reputation as a Friar to help the two lovers.  I had to struggle with mine conscience while Paris was making arrangements for his wedding with Juliet.  Juliet was desperately unhappy even suicidal because she couldn’t possibly go against her vow she made to Romeo.  ‘Chain me with roaring bears, or hide me nightly in a charnel-house, O’er-cover’d quite with dead men’s rattling bones.’  ‘If, rather than to marry County Paris, Thou hast the strength of will slay thyself.’

I had to think of a way to help her quickly because she was so desperate.  I ...

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