Choose one of the following essay prompts.

Question

I. In Act IV, Scene 1 of Romeo and Juliet, Juliet cries, "O, bid me leap, rather than marry Paris . . . And I will do it without fear or doubt."
Both Romeo and Juliet seek out Friar Lawrence for counsel during their difficulties. How does he affect their decisions, and eventually, the outcome of the play? Write an essay analyzing the cause-and-effect relationship between the two lovers and Friar Lawrence. You may want to address why Friar Lawrence marries the two in the first place, and the results of his advice throughout the story. The introduction of your essay should include an attention-getter and thesis statement. The body of your essay should explore how and why Friar Lawrence orchestrates many of the developments in the plot. Close your essay with an overall conclusion, including a restatement of the thesis.
II. By the end of Romeo and Juliet, Paris and Romeo, both of whom loved Juliet, are dead. The two characters, however, are very different. Write an essay comparing and contrasting the two men. The introduction of your essay should include an attention-getter and thesis statement. The body of your essay should provide examples of similarities and differences regarding their attitudes toward love, traditions, and fidelity, as well as their actions. Close your essay with an overall conclusion, including a restatement of the thesis.

Answer 1

I. In Act IV, Scene 1 of Romeo and Juliet, Juliet cries, "O, bid me leap, rather than marry Paris . . . And I will do it without fear or doubt." Both Romeo and Juliet seek out Friar Lawrence for counsel during their difficulties. How does he affect their decisions, and eventually, the outcome of the play?

Friar Lawrence serves as a pivotal character in William Shakespeare's tragedy Romeo and Juliet, influencing the decisions of the titular lovers and ultimately shaping the outcome of the play. From the beginning, Friar Lawrence plays a significant role in the lives of Romeo and Juliet by agreeing to marry them in secret. This decision sets in motion a series of events that leads to tragedy. The Friar's well-intentioned but ultimately misguided advice contributes to the lovers' demise.

One of the primary reasons Friar Lawrence marries Romeo and Juliet is his belief that their union could bring an end to the feud between the Montagues and Capulets. He sees their love as a potential catalyst for peace and reconciliation, overlooking the many obstacles and dangers that stand in their way. His decision to marry the two young lovers in secret plants the seeds of their eventual downfall.

Throughout the play, Friar Lawrence continues to influence Romeo and Juliet's decisions through his counsel and guidance. For example, he advises Juliet to take a potion that will make her appear dead, in order to escape her impending marriage to Paris. This plan ultimately leads to tragic consequences, as Romeo believes Juliet to be truly dead and takes his own life in despair. Friar Lawrence's actions and advice play a significant role in the deaths of the two lovers.

In conclusion, Friar Lawrence's influence on Romeo and Juliet is profound and far-reaching. His decisions and advice shape the course of the play, leading to the tragic deaths of the two lovers. Despite his good intentions, Friar Lawrence's misguided actions ultimately contribute to the downfall of Romeo and Juliet. Through his interactions with the lovers, he serves as a catalyst for the tragic events that unfold in the play.