Friar Lawrence Selfish

Romeo and Juliet, written by William Shakespeare, has a character that is very oddly characterized. Friar Lawrence, proves to be trustworthy, yet selfish, and very cowardly. A friar is a member of a certain religious orders, so apparently, he’s supposed to be of most of the holy characteristics. Friar Lawrence is thought to be trustworthy because Romeo trusts him enough to tell him about Juliet. “Then plainly know my heart’s dear love is set on the fair daughter of the rich Capulet. As mine on hers, so hers is set on mine, and all combined, save what thou must combine by holy marriage. When, and where, and how, we met, we wooed, and made exchange of vow. I’ll tell thee as we pass, but this I pray, that thou consent to marry us to-day.” (Act
The friar does not marry the star-crossed lovers for their love. He marries them in hopes of fixing the relationship between the Capulet and Montague houses. When Friar Lawrence first hears about the thought of marriage between the houses, he thinks Romeo is reacting too fast. “Young men’s love then lies not truly in their hearts but in their eyes.” (Act II, scene iv, lines 67-68) But then he realizes that this could work for the better of all, “for this alliance may be so happy prove, to turn your households’ rancor to pure love.” (Act II, scene iv, lines 91-92) Last but not least, the friar is cowardly. He proves this characteristic in Act V. When Juliet is ‘dead’, the friar plans to visit her in the Capulet tomb and take her to his cell until Romeo can take her back to Mantua. When he gets to the tomb though, Romeo is already dead and guards are on their way. When the friar “hears some noise,” (Act V, scene iii, line 151) he is frightened and forced to leave. He then tells Juliet “I’ll dispose of thee among a sisterhood of holy nuns.” (Act V, scene iii, lines 156-157) Of course, Juliet refuses after she sees Romeo laying on the