Friar Laurence, a peace loving man, has witnessed the conflict between the two families and the effect this conflict is having on life in Verona. As a man who seeks to do good he would have seized the opportunity to bring peace to the streets of Verona. Unfortunately he was not to know that his efforts to resolve the conflict would bring about the tragedy that was to end the lovers' lives.
As Romeo's confessor and confidant he was also aware of the pain the young man was enduring due to his unrequited love for Rosalind. Romeo, after his meeting with Juliet, presents himself as a changed man The man who locked himself in daily darkness is now filled with energy and enthusiasm for life. Marrying Juliet would guarantee that he could continue in this state. Friar Laurence cares for Romeo and in his desire to help him agrees to marrying the couple.
Audiences are told right away that a violent and long-standing feud has been going on between the Montague family and the Capulet family. This is an important piece of information regarding the Friar's decision to help Romeo and Juliet get married. In act 2, scene 3, Romeo visits the Friar and declares his love for Juliet. The Friar is rightly surprised. Romeo had just been there complaining about Rosaline and the fact that she doesn't love him back. Romeo is unfazed and begs the Friar to perform the wedding ceremony.
When and where and how
We met, we wooed and made exchange of vow,
I’ll tell thee as we pass, but this I pray:
That thou consent to marry us today.
The Friar isn't thrilled about the marriage, but the Friar does agree to the plan; however, it isn't necessarily to make Romeo and Juliet happy. The Friar agrees to the wedding because he believes that Romeo and Juliet's forbidden love might be the thing that helps the two warring families come to peace with each other.
But come, young waverer, come, go with me,
In one respect I’ll thy assistant be,
For this alliance may so happy prove
To turn your households' rancor to pure love.
No comments:
Post a Comment