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 cameth up with a plan to free Juliet. ‘To rid her from this second marriage, or in my cell there would she kill herself.’
As thou knowest I hath researched the powers of herbs and I made a potion that would enable Juliet to sleep temporarily. Mine plan was for Juliet to be pronounced dead so that she didn’t have to marry Paris, then wake up to be with Romeo. ‘Take thou this vial, being then in bed, and this distilled liquor drink though off.’
I knew that I was taking a risk because I couldn’t be sure what would happen to Juliet when she was unconscious but she was so unhappy, I had to help her. I asked Friar John to deliver a letter to Romeo telling him of Juliet’s false death, but the letter never arrived.
Juliet drank the sleeping potion that I gave her and that lead to the tragic outcome, which I knowest was mine fault. ‘And her I stand both to impeach and purge myself condemned and myself excused.’
Juliet’s death was soon announced and when Romeo heard the news he left Mantua for Verona to be by Juliet’s side. Romeo didn’t knowest of mine plan because he hadn’t received the letter from Friar John. County Paris was at her tomb when Romeo arrived and Romeo killed him. When he saw Juliet she looked alive but he knewest she wasn’t. ‘Beauty’s ensign yet is crimson in thy lips and in thy cheeks.’
Romeo knew he couldn’t live without his Juliet and he also drank his poison. I tried to get to Romeo to tell him of the plan but I was too late.
When Juliet awoke she saw Romeo dead and that was when she killed herself. She kissed Romeo to get up the poison and then stabbed herself with Romeo’s dagger.
None of this was what I intended, I just wanted to help these people and their families. I know I should hath thought things through more thoroughly but I can’t change what hath happened. I know I am to blame and I hath no power. ‘I am the greatest, able to do least, Yet most suspected, as the time and place.’
I know thou art a man of great power and I hope you can understand what I am telling you.
Thou humble servant
Friar Laurence