Question

"Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet has many themes, including the powerful nature of both love and fate. Choose one or more SECONDARY characters in the play (Tybalt, Mercutio, Nurse, Friar Lawrence, or another secondary character of your choice - NOT Romeo or Juliet) and write a 3-5 paragraph essay that discusses how this character contributes to the overall theme of the play. You may want to consider some or all of the following in your writing:

- How does the secondary character you have chosen influence Romeo and/or Juliet?
- How do the actions of the secondary character you have chosen impact the eventual tragic ending?
- What, if anything, would have been different if this character had not been created? Would the ending be different? Why or why not?
- Discuss what theme this character contributes to and how? Provide examples wherever possible."

Answer 1

Friar Lawrence is a priest that is close to both Romeo and Juliet. He serves as confidant and adviser to them. Friar Lawrence's desire to see the end of the family feud between the Capulets and the Montagues prompted him to suggest the solution that ended up to the couple's deaths.

Friar Lawrence believed that Romeo and Juliet are meant to be. He hoped that their union will bring about the end of the family feud that have been going on for a long time. He only wanted the young couple to be happy. His intent was to help but due to unforeseen circumstances, his solution had a dire ending.