Romeo and Juliet -Literary Essay

The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet follows two young teenagers who fall and love, only to both end up dead. William Shakespeare includes various themes in the play, like rivalry, fate, love and marriage. However I think religion is a theme that is particularly under looked and has much more to do with the okay then many may think. Religion completely changed the plot, and even caused the couples deaths. Friar Lawrence’s character represents religion in the story; therefore he is the one to blame for the couples’ death. Not only does he make poor decisions, but he also fails to fix his mistakes.

            Friar Lawrence represents religion in the story. Religion is something people go to for guidance; they ask the leaders of their place of worship and god for advice. Romeo and Juliet ask the same from Friar Lawrence. In act 2 scene 3, Romeo immediately goes to Friar Lawrence after meeting Juliet. After some discussion of Romeos newfound love, he asks him to marry them. “We met, we wooed and made exchange of vow, Ill tell thee as we pass, but this I pray: That thou consent marry us today.” Romeo begs. Friar Lawrence is instantly concerned and asks about Rosaline, Romeos previous beloved. However Romeo protests, “Thou chid’st me off for loving Rosaline.” This means that Friar Lawrence often gave his pupil advice about Rosaline. Already, we are introduced to the close relationship the two shares. Another example of Friar Lawrence giving advice is when Romeo and Juliet are wed. He warns Romeo in act 2 sc. 6 to be careful with his love. “Therefore love moderately” he advises. This is again more guidance given to the teenagers. The biggest advice the Friar gives them of course is when he gives Juliet the potion. When the soon to be wife of Paris has nothing left she can do to prevent the wedding, she asks Friar Lawrence for help. In Act 4 sc. 1 she pleads “Therefore out of thy long experienced time, give me some present counsel…” His advice is to obviously take the vial. This changes the story completely, and contributes to the reason of why he’s responsible for their deaths. After all the guidance Friar Lawrence gives them throughout the play, he obviously represents religion.

Religion and Friar Lawrence play such a big role in the story, they are responsible for the couples’ deaths. First off, Friar Lawrence gives Juliet the liquid that makes her appear dead, putting her in a situation that results in her and her husbands suicides. “Take thou this vial, being then in bed and this distilled liquor drink thou off,” Friar tells Juliet. By trusting a 13-year-old girl with such a big responsibility was an ignorant decision; and this ignorant decision cost Romeo and Juliet their lives. Another terrible decision Friar Lawrence made was not giving Romeo his letter on time. Friar Lawrence trusted Friar John with a huge piece of information. He failed to even tell Friar John how critical it was for Romeo to receive the letter with information about Juliet taking the potion. In act 4 sc. 2 Friar John returns with the same letter. “I could not send it-here it is again-(gives Friar Lawrence a letter) Nor get a message to bring it to thee, so fearful were they of infection.” Friar John explains. Lawrence then makes an effort to go to the tomb where Juliet resides and save her, but obviously fails. After Romeo kills Paris in act 5 sc. 3, and says his final words “And so I die with a kiss”, Juliet awakes to find Lawrence. However as soon as he hears something outside, he leaves Juliet with her dead husband, fearful that the watch will discover him. “Stay not to question, for the watch is coming. Come, go, good Juliet, I dare not longer stay”, He tells Juliet right before running away. The widow then left alone, takes a dagger to her heart and kills herself. By leaving Juliet alone and not giving Romeo the correct information, Friar Lawrence completely changes the direction of the play. And because of his poor guidance, he causes the couple to die. 

Friar Lawrence could've easily avoided Romeo and Juliet's deaths. Friar Lawrence should not have so immediately married the to young teenagers, especially knowing that it was in secrecy. In act 2 sc. 6, Friar Lawrence warns Romeo about the marriage. "These violent delights have violent ends and in their triumph die, like fire and powder, which, as they kiss, consume. The sweetest honey is loathsome in his own deliciousness and in the taste confounds the appetite", he says. This obviously shows that Friar Lawrence has a bad feeling about the marriage. Not only does he not stop the marriage, but he actually marries them himself. And again, in Act 3 sc. 3, he admits to Romeo that marrying Juliet was a disaster. He says, "Romeo, come forth, Come forth, thou fearful man. Affliction is enamoured of thy parts, and thou art wedded to calamity." This also reveals that Friar Lawrence was hypocritical. He marries the two but then admits to it being a bad idea. This also shows that Friar Lawrence is unaccountable and sort of has bad character. He stood by watching the teenagers die, even though he could've prevented it.

 Friar Lawrence is a symbol for religion in the story, and because he fails Romeo and Juliet, so does religion. He makes cowardly, ignorant decisions that were easily avoided. Overall, Friar Lawrence completely changes the fate of the teenagers and the plot of the play.