English 1
2/1/2013
Hour 2
Romeo & Juliet Essay “You know you’re in love when you can’t fall asleep because reality is finally better than your dreams.” - Dr. Seuss. That is what Friar Laurence saw in Romeo when he met Juliet, and Friar Laurence wants Romeo to be happy and not sad all the time. It was interesting to see how love was like back in the 14th century compared to now. Now love is about sex and how television advertises it, and that is not true love. In Romeo and Juliet, Shakespeare is showing that one of the main characters Friar Laurence has may personality traits. Friar Laurence’s demeanor helps add to the theme of this play’s tragic love story. Friar Laurence demonstrates the character traits of intelligence, helpfulness, and apologetic characteristic within the play, Romeo and Juliet. One of the traits that Friar Laurence presents is intelligence. He is intelligent because he had the great idea for Juliet to take a vial that makes Juliet look pal, cold, and have no pulse. “Take thou this vial… when presently through all thy veins shall run a cold and drowsy; for no pulse;” (act 4, scene 1, lines 103-106). The reason for Friar Laurence’s plan is to make her family and everyone in the city to believe that Juliet is lifeless, and when she awakes she can run off with Romeo. Friar Laurence is very intelligent he gave Juliet a chance to be with Romeo and be free. Friar Laurence’s next trait is a characteristic that describes him the most, Friar Laurence is very helpful. Friar Laurence is helpful throughout the play. One of the times is when he helps Romeo and Juliet het married. “Then comes she to me and with wild looks bid me devise some mean to rid from this second marriage… Then I gave her a sleeping potion.” (act 5, scene 3, lines 263-268). At first Friar Laurence did not want to marry Romeo and Juliet, but he thought by Romeo and Juliet getting married the feud between the Capulet’s and the Montague’s will end. Friar Laurence just did what he believed was ethical. In the end of the play, Romeo and Juliet, Friar Laurence becomes very