Prompt: Friar Laurence serves many dramatic purposes in the play. Examine the Friar and his role in Romeo and Juliet.
Response: Friar Lawrence is a very influential and devious character in Romeo and Juliet who assists in the plot of the story and gives signs of foreshadowing. Friar Lawrence is somewhat of a father figure to Romeo and gives him advice throughout the story. One piece of advice he gives that foreshadows the ending of the story is, "These violent delights have violent ends/ And in their triumph die" (2.6.9-10). Also, when Juliet comes to him for advice after being asked to marry Paris, he concocts a very flawed plan, which ends in disaster. In the vault with Juliet, he runs away after hearing a sound, and very cowardly states, "Stay not to question, for the watch is coming./ Come, go, good Juliet. I dare no longer stay" (5.3.63-64). The Friar opts to leave the scene instead of taking responsibility for what has happened. He may have seemed like a kind individual in the beginning of the book, but later on he tends to be more selfish and lax in making decisions. When the Prince comes to the vault to find out what the commotion was about, Friar Lawrence tells his side of the story, and confesses what happened between Romeo and Juliet. Had the Prince not been there, and he had not been caught, he most likely would have never shared the information with anyone. When confessing, he said, "Doth make against me, of the direful murder./ And here I stand, both to impeach and purge" (5.3.235-236). The word "purge" implies feeling guilty, which he should feel, but his still argues that he should not be to blame. Not being at fault is what he says before admitting any wrong-doing, therefore he must be more concerned about his well-being rather than helping to solve the mystery. Due to his carelessness and selfish nature and foreshadowing warnings the Friar has a big impact in the plot of Romeo and Juliet.