Friar Lawrence Flashcards
(11 cards)
3 adjectives and overview
Pseudo-paternal
Hasty
Seemingly Remorseful
What purpose does this character serve?
Consider the why of this character to question and explore Shakespeare’s intentions.
Shakespeare uses the character of the Friar as a vehicle to bring attention to the morally ambiguous nature of some religious individuals who fail to prioritise or adhere to the teachings of the Church. The Friar acts as a pseudo paternal figure to Romeo yet, in his genuine keenness to assist him, the Friar makes arguably hasty decisions. Such choices eventually leads to the death of Romeo and Juliet, leaving the Friar feeling remorseful for his involvement in their demise.
Themes
Fate and freewill
- the Friar’s involvement may be considered as an act of freewill however the prologue suggests that he was predestined to make such decisions leading to the fateful death of Romeo and Juliet.
Time
- the Friar, like most characters in the play, appear to be racing against time. Often the passing of time is a great deal faster than anticipated, given the multiple occasions when opportunities are missed or lost, e.g. Friar’s letter to Romeo arrives too late, Friar arrives too late to the Capulets’ crypt.
Love and hate
- the Friar attempts to reconcile both families and bring an end to their feud through the marriage of Romeo and Juliet
Quote 1
Not truly in their hearts, but in their eyes’
• Criticises how men of the younger generation are wholly preoccupied with the aesthetic which could question how genuine their love is
• Is able to subvert norms by questioning actions which foreshadows how he will subvert the typical expectations of a friar and become morally ambiguous where he doesn’t do the right thing
Quote 2
Come, come with me and we will make short work’
* Though given all his warnings, he still commits to joining the couple together in marriage whereas he should have believed in the sanctity of marriage instead of rushing the ceremony himself, since being a holy figure who society would look up to for doing the right thing
* Adjective ‘short’ refers again to the speed and hastiness of the process, bringing attention to the morally ambiguous nature of the Friar who overlooks his own warnings in order to appease Romeo
Quote 2
‘In one respect I’ll thy assistant be for this alliance may so happy prove”
* Despite knowing it is wrong, he still agrees to marry them, confident that it will help mend the feud between the Capulets and Montagues which eventually he does albeit only causing their deaths
The phrase “alliance” indicates that the friar is aware of the ongoing family feud and wants to put an end to it, by uniting them through marriage.
However, the term, “may” also conveys a sense of uncertainty, suggesting that the friar is aware that going ahead with the marriage is not risk-free (but he goes ahead with the marriage, making him morally ambiguous).
Mid section quote 4
On Thursday, sir? the time is very short”
- This shows how the timing is speeding up as the play is ending. Friar Lawrence uses words connected with speed at the opening of the play, such as ‘very short’, showing how quickly events are now occurring.
- The friar acknowledges the haste in Juliet’s marriage with Paris however it is ironic as he previously married Romeo and Juliet quickly some time ago.
Quote 5
Hold daughter I do spy a kind of hope”
- “Hold” is an imperative word that urges Juliet to have faith in himself: the Friar comes across as a figure of authority and trust.
- This slows down the pace of the play, but this is ironic as he conducted the marriage of Romeo and Juliet with a great deal of haste and everything has happened so rapidly.
- “Daughter” - addresses her with affection showing his pseudo paternal role.
Quote 6
“Come, is the bride ready to go to church?”
- This again highlights the Friars morally ambiguous nature. The Friar is already aware of Juliet’s marriage to Romeo however still proceeds with her marriage to Paris.
- This was deemed as a sin during the Renaissance era and it was extremely shocking to have come from a religious figure like the friar at the time.
Quote 7
“ Poor living corse, clos’d in a dead man’s tomb!’
- Oxymoronic language in ‘living corse’ could be to show how conflicted the Friar is in this moment of realisation, and how his attempt to help is only in vain
- Again links to the encompassing effects of pre-determined fate, as we see everything unfold.
- Also a sense of dramatic irony, given the reader knew this would happen from The Prologue.
Quote 8
Come, I’ll dispose of thee /Among a sisterhood of holy nuns.’
* we see repetition of imperatives, such as ‘come’
* Could be to show a sense of urgency to remove Juliet from the situation here, given that she is now his problem, and as a Friar, previously regarded as a high-status religious figure, he panics as he attempts to salvage his reputation here, rather than Juliet.
* The verb ‘dispose’ almost dehumanises Juliet, likened to an object, a problem or even literal rubbish. This directly contrasts the Friar’s previous treatment of Juliet, attempting to help her, and shows his panic and anxiety getting the best of him in this situation.
* His master plan now is to send Juliet to a nunnery.
This could be the Friar genuinely attempting to correct his mistakes. However, the verb “dispose” dehumanises Juliet as a problem, suggesting that the Friar is trying to save his reputation by hiding Julie
quote 9
his confession may be seen as insincere as he says
“her nurse is privy.”
The Friar seems to be deflecting blame to the Nurse, indicating a lack of integrity as the Nurse will most likely be punished harshly due to her gender status. This may also be Shakespeare deflecting blame of the Church, to ensure his play is not criticised.
