Friar Lawrence Flashcards
Why may he be seen as a villain in the play?
Friar Lawrence may be the real villain
He makes R + J’s love possible
He wants to make peace in Verona, but the only way to do that is for Romeo and Juliet to die ring the 2 feuding families together
So he gets what he wants
Critic Arthur Brooke argues that Shakespeare is anti-Catholic; he deals with evil friars who are superstitious
Point - Peaceful (but villainous)
A2 S3 - ‘turn your households’ rancour to pure love’
His aim – BUT he may be aware that the consequences may be fatal for the aim to be achieved
A2 S6 – ‘Till Holy Church incorporates two in one’
Wants to incorporate the Montagues with the Capulets
Point - blaming fate
A2 S3 - ‘Wisely and slow, they stumble that run fast’
A2 S6 – ‘these violent delights have violent ends’
1+2. Foreshadowing rest of play
A5 S2 – ‘Unhappy fortune!’
A5 S3 – ‘Ah, what an unkind hour / is guilty of a lamentable chance’
3+4. He blames fate for what happens at the end
Point - Shocked
A2 S2 - ‘Rosaline, who thou didst love so dear, /So soon foresaken’
He is shocked that Romeo gave up Rosaline so quickly
