friar

Question 1

Within the infant rind
of this small flower/
Poison hath residence,
and medicine power

Answer 1

By referencing nature, the Friar is revealing to the audience that
there are positive and negative sides to everything, because plants
can be used for both healing and poisonous purposes. This can be
likened to the situation between the Capulets and Montagues;
within opposition, Romeo and Juliet are still able to fall in love. It
foreshadows the ending of the play

Question 2

“For this alliance may
so happy prove, // To
turn your households’
rancor to pure love.”

Answer 2

This quote displays the Friar’s good intentions, however in the end
of the play he is proved wrong, as it is in fact the death of the two
lovers which unites the Montagues and Capulets, instead of their
marriage.

Question 3

“For by your leaves,
you shall not stay
alone,
Til Holy Church
incorporate two in one.”
(A2S4)

Answer 3

A major theme of the novels is the imagery and reference to
pairings, and naturally Romeo and Juliet’s relationship is the
central pairing of the play. The phrase “incorporate two in one”
reflects this semantic field of pairings, and suggests that the Friar
is a key motivator in their relationship.