What actions could the friar and nurse (from Romeo and Juliet) have taken in act 4 that would have changed the outcome?
In Act 4 of Romeo and Juliet, both the Friar and the Nurse face decisions that could have potentially changed the tragic outcome of the play. Here are a few actions they could have taken:
1. Friar Lawrence:
- Communication: The Friar could have been more proactive in ensuring that Romeo was informed of his plan to fake Juliet's death. He could have sent a messenger directly to Mantua to deliver the message instead of relying on Friar John, whose failure to deliver the letter led to the tragic miscommunication.
- Alternative Plan: Instead of devising a complicated plan involving potions and secrecy, the Friar could have explored other means to help Romeo and Juliet, such as suggesting they elope to a faraway town where they could marry and live in peace.
- Involving the Families: The Friar could have tried to help reconcile the feuding families. By involving Lord Capulet and Lord Montague in his plan and appealing to their sense of compassion, he might have been able to prevent their tragic end.
2. Nurse:
- Mediation: The Nurse could have attempted to reconcile the differences between Juliet and her parents, rather than supporting her decision to marry Romeo in secret. By acting as a mediator, she could have prevented the escalating conflicts that led to the tragic events.
- Communication: After Juliet confided in the Nurse about her intentions to fake her death, the Nurse had an opportunity to intervene and seek advice from the Friar or others who might have offered alternative solutions. By discussing the plan openly and involving others, they could have potentially avoided the disastrous consequences.
It's important to note that hindsight is always 20/20, and these potential actions are speculative, based on analysis of the play's events.