Choose one of the following essay prompts.
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.
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.
Throughout the tragic love story of Romeo and Juliet, Friar Lawrence plays a significant role in influencing the decisions and actions of the two young lovers. From the moment he agrees to marry them in secret, to his desperate attempts to help them be together, Friar Lawrence's influence shapes the course of events that ultimately lead to the untimely demise of Romeo and Juliet.
One of the key moments in which Friar Lawrence significantly impacts the decisions of Romeo and Juliet is when he decides to marry them in secret. In Act 2, Scene 6, Friar Lawrence agrees to marry the two lovers in the hopes that their union will bring an end to the feud between their families. However, this decision sets off a chain of events that ultimately leads to tragedy. Friar Lawrence's willingness to help the young lovers illustrates his desire to bring peace and happiness, but his actions have unintended consequences.
Throughout the play, Friar Lawrence provides advice and guidance to Romeo and Juliet, often with good intentions, but his advice ends up causing more harm than good. For example, when Juliet seeks his help in avoiding her arranged marriage to Paris, he concocts a plan that involves a sleeping potion to fake her death. This plan ultimately leads to the heartbreaking deaths of both Romeo and Juliet.
In conclusion, Friar Lawrence's influence on Romeo and Juliet cannot be understated. From the moment he marries them in secret, to his misguided attempts to help them be together, Friar Lawrence's actions have a profound impact on the outcome of the play. While he may have had good intentions, his decisions ultimately lead to tragedy for the two young lovers. Friar Lawrence serves as a cautionary tale of the consequences of meddling in the affairs of others, especially when love and fate are involved.
Overall, Friar Lawrence's influence on Romeo and Juliet highlights the intricate cause-and-effect relationship between the two lovers and the well-intentioned yet ultimately disastrous actions of those who try to help them.