Final answer:
Friar Laurence urges Romeo to see his banishment as an opportunity rather than a punishment and tries to devise a plan to reunite him with Juliet.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that best describes Friar Laurence’s reaction to Romeo’s banishment in Romeo and Juliet is that he urges Romeo to make the best of the situation. Friar Laurence does not encourage Romeo to escape with Juliet, suggest that death would be preferable, nor does he insist that Romeo find a new woman to love. Instead, he counsels Romeo to view the banishment not as a punishment, but as a kind of reprieve, and he works to devise a plan that would eventually reunite Romeo and Juliet.
Shakespeare often depicts characters who face challenging circumstances with varying responses. Friar Laurence, as a wise and more measured character, seeks to find a rational solution within the constraints of the harsh punishment. His actions throughout the play consistently aim to navigate through the turmoil caused by the feuding families, always in support of Romeo and Juliet's union.