Evaluating an interpretation of literature
English Assessment Task – Analytical Response: Evaluating an interpretation of literature
The text ‘A Most Lamentable Man’ written by Christine Marlowe is an interpretation of Shakespeare’s Romeo & Juliet which portrays arguments about Friar Laurence, indicating that he was to blame for the tragic ending to the play. Marlowe Claims "Throughout the plot, it is the actions of Friar Laurence, and he alone that are most significant in ensuring the final tragedy of the play." The statement proves that she believes the Friar to be the influence or the main reason the star crossed lovers die whereas in Shakespeare's original version he made the Friar a caring man that just wants to help the young couple and marry them in the unlikely event that the two feuding families make amends. "But come, young waverer, come, go with me, in one respect I’ll thy assistant be, for this alliance may so happy prove, to turn your households' rancor to pure love." (2.3.90) Laurence’s poorly executed plan to fake Juliet’s death was one of his main faults Marlowe indicates “Out of all Laurence’s blunders, however, his calculated plan for Juliet to take on the appearance of, ‘A thing like death …’ (4.1.76) is surely his greatest error.” although Marlowe doesn’t end there, she includes his failure to get the all-important letter delivered to Romeo and his slackness in helping prevent Romeo’s death, “Laurence did not emphasise the importance of the letter he had instructed Friar John to deliver to Romeo.”
In the text, Marlowe perceives Friar Laurence’s character to be an ignorant old man who sealed Romeo & Juliet’s doom. In Marlowe’s evaluation of the play, she misguidedly represents him as an untrustworthy and a foolish figure. Marlowe mentions “As a character he is essentially weak and foolish. He is unable to provide the wisdom and support the young protagonists need.” Marlowe adds a bit of evil into her character description of Friar Laurence, positioning the reader to believe her
The text ‘A Most Lamentable Man’ written by Christine Marlowe is an interpretation of Shakespeare’s Romeo & Juliet which portrays arguments about Friar Laurence, indicating that he was to blame for the tragic ending to the play. Marlowe Claims "Throughout the plot, it is the actions of Friar Laurence, and he alone that are most significant in ensuring the final tragedy of the play." The statement proves that she believes the Friar to be the influence or the main reason the star crossed lovers die whereas in Shakespeare's original version he made the Friar a caring man that just wants to help the young couple and marry them in the unlikely event that the two feuding families make amends. "But come, young waverer, come, go with me, in one respect I’ll thy assistant be, for this alliance may so happy prove, to turn your households' rancor to pure love." (2.3.90) Laurence’s poorly executed plan to fake Juliet’s death was one of his main faults Marlowe indicates “Out of all Laurence’s blunders, however, his calculated plan for Juliet to take on the appearance of, ‘A thing like death …’ (4.1.76) is surely his greatest error.” although Marlowe doesn’t end there, she includes his failure to get the all-important letter delivered to Romeo and his slackness in helping prevent Romeo’s death, “Laurence did not emphasise the importance of the letter he had instructed Friar John to deliver to Romeo.”
In the text, Marlowe perceives Friar Laurence’s character to be an ignorant old man who sealed Romeo & Juliet’s doom. In Marlowe’s evaluation of the play, she misguidedly represents him as an untrustworthy and a foolish figure. Marlowe mentions “As a character he is essentially weak and foolish. He is unable to provide the wisdom and support the young protagonists need.” Marlowe adds a bit of evil into her character description of Friar Laurence, positioning the reader to believe her