Friar Lawrence Flashcards
3 adjectives and overview
Pseudo-paternal
Hasty
Seemingly Remorseful
What purpose does this character serve?
Consider the why of this character to question and explore Shakespeare’s intentions.
Shakespeare uses the character of the Friar as a vehicle to bring attention to the morally ambiguous nature of some religious individuals who fail to prioritise or adhere to the teachings of the Church. The Friar acts as a pseudo paternal figure to Romeo yet, in his genuine keenness to assist him, the Friar makes arguably hasty decisions. Such choices eventually leads to the death of Romeo and Juliet, leaving the Friar feeling remorseful for his involvement in their demise.
Themes
Fate and freewill
- the Friar’s involvement may be considered as an act of freewill however the prologue suggests that he was predestined to make such decisions leading to the fateful death of Romeo and Juliet.
Time
- the Friar, like most characters in the play, appear to be racing against time. Often the passing of time is a great deal faster than anticipated, given the multiple occasions when opportunities are missed or lost, e.g. Friar’s letter to Romeo arrives too late, Friar arrives too late to the Capulets’ crypt.
Love and hate
- the Friar attempts to reconcile both families and bring an end to their feud through the marriage of Romeo and Juliet
Quote 1
Not truly in their hearts, but in their eyes’
• Criticises how men of the younger generation are wholly preoccupied with the aesthetic which could question how genuine their love is
• Is able to subvert norms by questioning actions which foreshadows how he will subvert the typical expectations of a friar and become morally ambiguous where he doesn’t do the right thing
Quote 2
‘In one respect I’ll thy assistant be for this alliance may so happy prove”
• Despite knowing it is wrong, he still agrees to marry them, confident that it will help mend the feud between the Capulets and Montagues which eventually he does albeit only causing their deaths
• He warns Romeo that they are moving at too fast of a pace and it could lead to their own fallings if they choose to pursue their love
• Very naïve of him as we don’t know his true intentions as he knows they are moving too fast which could end horribly, but still isn’t deterred from helping them- morally ambiguous
Quote 3
Come, come with me and we will make short work’
• Though given all his warnings, he still commits to joining the couple together in marriage whereas he should have believed in the sanctity of marriage instead of rushing the ceremony himself, since being a holy figure who society would look up to for doing the right thing
• Adjective ‘short’ refers again to the speed and hastiness of the process, bringing attention to the morally ambiguous nature of the Friar who overlooks his own warnings in order to appease Romeo
Quote 4
I’ll give thee armour to keep off that word: Adversity’s sweet milk, philosophy,’
• The friar acts a pseudo-paternal figure to Romeo as he tries to comfort Romeo with ‘sweet milk, philosophy’. He feels responsible for Romeo.
• He ‘give thee armour’ as if he is a father protecting him with ‘I’ll give thee’ shows a direct and personal statement to Romeo.
Mid section quote 5
On Thursday, sir? the time is very short”
• This shows how the timing is speeding up as the play is ending. Friar Lawrence uses words connected with speed at the opening of the play, such as ‘very short’, showing how quickly events are now occurring.
• The friar acknowledges the haste in Juliet’s marriage with Paris however it is ironic as he previously married Romeo and Juliet quickly some time ago.
Quote 6
Hold daughter I do spy a kind of hope”
• “Hold” is an imperative word that urges Juliet to have faith in himself: the Friar comes across as a figure of authority and trust.
• This slows down the pace of the play, but this is ironic as he conducted the marriage of Romeo and Juliet with a great deal of haste and everything has happened so rapidly.
• “Daughter” - addresses her with affection showing his pseudo paternal role.
Quote 7
“Come, is the bride ready to go to church?”
• This again highlights the Friars morally ambiguous nature. The Friar is already aware of Juliet’s marriage to Romeo however still proceeds with her marriage to Paris.
• This was deemed as a sin during the Renaissance era and it was extremely shocking to have come from a religious figure like the friar at the time.
Quote 8
“ Poor living corse, clos’d in a dead man’s tomb!’
• Oxymoronic language in ‘living corse’ could be to show how conflicted the Friar is in this moment of realisation, and how his attempt to help is only in vain
• Again links to the encompassing effects of pre-determined fate, as we see everything unfold.
• Also a sense of dramatic irony, given the reader knew this would happen from The Prologue.
Quote 9
Come, I’ll dispose of thee /Among a sisterhood of holy nuns.’
• Throughout this part from the Friar, we see repetition of imperatives, such as ‘come’
• Could be to show a sense of urgency to remove Juliet from the situation here, given that she is now his problem, and as a Friar, previously regarded as a high-status religious figure, he panics as he attempts to salvage his reputation here, rather than Juliet.
• The verb ‘dispose’ almost dehumanises Juliet, likened to an object, a problem or even literal rubbish. This directly contrasts the Friar’s previous treatment of Juliet, attempting to help her, and shows his panic and anxiety getting the best of him in this situation.
• His master plan now is to send Juliet to a nunnery.
Quote 10
Who bear my letter then to Romeo?’
• Realises his plan has likely failed as he realises that his letter to Romeo wasn’t delivered.
• Could link again to fate – and that this might be part of the predetermined sequence of events that is the whole play, and that this letter not being delivered is part of the unfolding.
