Who Is Friar Lawrence's Character

Friar Lawrence, Romeo's priest/father was a man of many virtues. He was just as naive as Romeo and Juliet when it came to making rational decisions. Though his instincts in the beginning were that Romeo was rushing into a love he knew nothing about that eventually would be the death of both Romeo and Juliet. His loyalty to the laws of Verona were pushed aside to help Romeo and Juliet to their deaths.

After the balcony scene where Romeo and Juliet professed their love for one another, and Juliet proposes to Romeo; Romeo left Juliet's balcony with instructions to meet him at Friar Lawrence's cell so they could marry. Once Romeo arrives at Friar Lawrence's cell he immediately tells him that he has met his future wife. He continues to describe
his fair lady Juliet when he states to him,

"It can not countervail the exchange of joy, that one short minute gives me her sight." Explaining to Friar Lawrence that the short time he'd seen and met her he is certain she is the one and wants him to marry them.

Friar Lawrence states to Romeo that the urge he has only will end in heartache and eventually death. Friar Lawrence says "These violent delights have violent ends,And in their triumph dies;like fire and powder,which as they kiss, consume: the sweetness honey Is loathsome in his own deliciousness." Friar Lawrence has stated from the beginning that this affair will not end well, but he continues to help Romeo in his quest. When Romeo asked him to marry him to Juliet, Friar Lawrence should of stated no. He should of explained to Romeo that true love is never to be rushed; and never should of married them.

Unfortunately that was not the case, Friar Lawrence continued to help Romeo and Juliet even after the death of Tybalt and Mercutio.
When Friar Lawrence advised Romeo that Prince had given him ald lesser sentence for killing Tybalt, he should of sent him away without the idea of seeing Juliet again. Especially since Paris has now visited Friar Lawrence to arrange his marriage to Juliet. When Friar Lawrence was given this news by Paris he should of immediately sent notice to Romeo. But instead he is now helping Juliet set up her own fake death by providing her a sleeping potion to make it seen like she is dead. When Juliet asks Friar Lawrence what she should do and what help he can be, he immediately gave her hope when he spoke, "Hold, then;go home, be merry, give consent to marry Paris: Wednesday is to-morrow; To-morrow night look that thou lie alone, let not thy nurse lie with thee in thy chamber; Take thou this vial, being then in bed. And this distilled liquor drink thou off: When, presently, through all thy veins shall run A cold and drowsy humour; for no pulse shall keep his native progress, but surcease." If Friar Lawrence had not given Juliet that vial of potion, she would not have taken it. If he really thought he was helping them both, they could of been together by simply letting Juliet go to Mancua. To go to these lengths simply put Romeo, Juliet and Paris in harms way.

Friar Lawrence was mostly responsible for the outcome of Romeo and Juliet. He might have
thought that their love can repair the feud between the the two families and that once everyone saw that if Romeo and Juliet can put aside their given name that they could too and everyone would have lived happily ever after. Unfortunately in the story of Romeo and Juliet this did not happen until both the children of these families died.