In Shakespeare's play "Romeo and Juliet", Friar Laurence has a major role. As a member of the Order of St. Francis, a group of wise and generous priests, Romeo and Juliet trusted Friar Laurence completely, turning to him for advice, and solutions. He was there throughout Romeo and Juliet's lives, he married them, came up with a plan to keep them together, and was a friend throughout their tragedies. However it was his rashness, short-sightedness, poorly thought out plans and desperate measures that led to Romeo and Juliet's ultimate tragedy.

Friar Laurence is responsible for Romeo and Juliet's deaths. Romeo and Juliets's death could have been prevented, if they were not together. Friar Laurence married Romeo and Juliet, this was the first mistake which would lead to their deaths. A bond between them was created through marriage: "For, by your leaves, you shall not stay alone / Till holy church incorporate two in one." (2.6.36-37). None of any of the tragedies would have occurred if Romeo and Juliet were not married. When Tybalt comes and challenges Romeo to a fight, he refuses to fight, and says he loves Tybalt: "Tybalt, the reason that I have to love thee / Doth much excuse the

Romeo and Juliet's deaths was Friar Laurence's fault. He begun the catastrophe, added haste to it, and made bad decisions. He thought the plan out poorly, and he rashly handled decisive situations. His impure intentions and incompetence, caused the suicides of two young teenagers. They stumble who run fast, odd how someone could not apply his own wisdom to his own actions. "Virtue itself turns vice, being missapplied." (2.3.17). Friar Laurences's own advice would suit himself best.

Shakespeare, William. Romeo and Juliet. Cambridge : University Press, 1982

Even after Mercutio's death and Romeo's banishment, Friar Laurence does not see the destructiveness of Romeo and Juliet's marriage. Instead he continues to attempt to keep Romeo and Juliet together. The plan he comes up with however, is short-sighted, poorly thought out, and risky. He devises the plan in haste and in desperation because Juliet was about to kill herself. The desperate situation is shown when Juliet says, "Unless thou tell me how I may prevent it. / If, in thy wisdom thou canst give no help, / Do but call my resolution wise, / And with this knife I'll help it presently." (4.1.51-54). Friar Laurence did not have much time to think carefully about his plan. But even after he had Juliet calmed downed, he did try to think of a better plan calmly. Friar Laurence also failed to account for Juliet and Paris's marriage being moved up to Wednesday. He fails again to inform Romeo of the plan. This was revealed when Friar John said,

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