The Friar

Question 1

What does the Friar recognise about love in a patriarchal society?

Answer 1

“Young men’s love lies not truly in their hearts but in their eyes.”

• he recognises that the “love” Romeo feels for Rosaline is purely superficial
• he also recognises that love is often dominated by an infatuation

Question 2

How does Friar Lawrence address Romeo?

Answer 2

“pupil mine” and “my good son”

• possessive pronoun ‘mine’ and the noun ‘son’ highlights the caring and paternal relationship they have, acting as a surrogate father. Hierarchically, the Friars elevated status, is reflected in the trust and respect Romeo endows in the Friar.
• The elevated status should come with certain responsibilities, and over the course of the play it is questionable whether the Friar uses his power responsibly.

Question 3

What phrase shows that the Friar recognises that we should act in moderation?

Answer 3

“Their violent delights have violent ends” “therefore love moderately”

• The Friar acknowledges that love can be positive and transformative, but also has the capacity to be chaotic and destructive. Ironically however, he preaches moderation but fails to live by his own teachings

Question 4

What does the Friars listing of things that he will do whilst Romeo is banished show?

Answer 4

list beginning “till we can…”

• Shakespeare uses listing here to amplify how unrealistic the Friar’s scheme has become, thus how far he has veered from adhering to his own teachings on moderation.
• prologue emphasises how flawed his plan is through dramatic irony

Question 5

How does the Friar react to seeing Romeo dead?

Answer 5

Upon finding Romeo dead: “ah what unkind hour is guilty of this lamentable chance”
- The Friar personifies time to avoid accepting any accountability for his part in the scheme which led to Romeo’s untimely death, instead attributing blame to fate.

Question 6

How does the Friar run from his responsibilities at the end of the play?

Answer 6

“Come go good Juliet, I dare no longer stay”

• “dare” conveys a sense of cowardice as the Friar once again fails to take responsibility and flees the scene to avoid getting caught.
• His decision to abandon a vulnerable woman appear exceptionally weak, particularly given that this leads to Juliet taking her own life.
• His reference to Juliet as ‘good’ prompts the audience to question morality and whether the ostensibly religious man can actually be considered as ‘good’.