The role of religion in Romeo and Juliet is shown as being important when one considers the various roles of Friar Lawrence. Religion provided advice to individuals, possible solutions to society’s problems, and sacraments that would be part of normal priestly duties. These actions of Friar Lawrence demonstrate the importance of religion in Shakespeare’s play.
In the play Romeo and Juliet, the star-crossed lovers are seeking advice about their relationship. They need help with their situation, and they decide to go to their priest, Friar Lawrence. Juliet’s father announces that he has arranged for her to marry Paris, who is an older, and wealthier man who is in love with Juliet. Juliet thinks that this is super unfair, but this was very typical for families back in the 15th century. The …show more content…
Juliet tells her parents that she is going to Confession, but really she is going to Friar Lawrence to discuss a plan to get her out of her forced marriage with Paris (pg. 823). Her parents accept the idea that she was going to see the Friar to go to Confession. This shows that he does some of the typical things that a priest would do today. Another typical priestly duty Friar Lawrence does is the sacrament of marriage. The reader does not see this scene but knows this action has taken place. Friar Lawrence preforms two sacraments of typical priestly duty during this play.
These actions of Friar Lawrence all show that the role of religion in the play Romeo and Juliet is very important, probably more important than the role of religion is in today’s world. Religion provided advice for individuals, possible solutions to society’s problems, and sacraments that would be part of normal priestly duties. Friar Lawrence played the role of the priest in Romeo and Juliet, and showed the reader how important the role of religion was in the 15th