Character Analysis: Friar Lawrence

Friar Lawrence plays a pivotal role in the play Romeo and Juliet, the friar acts as an adviser Romeo and later also Juliet and also aids the major plot developments. He is kind, civil minded and always ready with a backup plan. While also being a holy man Friar Lawrence also has vast knowledge of herbs and potions.
In the beginning of the play Friar Lawrence is the sole bridge to adults to Romeo, being the only adult who Romeo trusts as a friend and confidant. Romeo and Juliet both seek comfort and counselling from Friar Lawrence who they would entrust their lives to.
Friar Lawrence aids most of the major plot developments, including the marriage of Romeo and Juliet and the plan involving “distilled liquor” which eventually led to both Romeo and Juliet’s deaths. Although the nature of the friar is necessarily evil, his personality did indirectly lead to the tragedy of the young couple. While he appears to be “wise” Friar Lawrence is in fact rather childish, as he is of a cowardly and irrational nature. While he believes childishly that unifying Romeo and Juliet will end the age-old feud between the Capulets and the Montagues, he is afraid to act when anything goes wrong.
While the Friar may have been indirectly the cause of Romeo and Juliet’s deaths, we know that the tragedy was an accident and not the Friar Lawrence’s intentions. He is quick to act and always with an elaborate plan but in this occasion it resulted in failure.

Abel