The Apothecary has been an important figure in society since the 1300s and 1400s. During this time, they were the only people capable of providing medical care and treatments to the general public. Apothecaries believed that medicine should be tailored to the individual’s needs and used a combination of herbs and minerals to craft their recipes. They also used astrology and alchemy to determine the best course of treatment for their patients. The Apothecary in Romeo and Juliet is no exception, as he sells Romeo a vial of poison. In this instance, the Apothecary is helping Romeo take his own life, although it is not a typical medical practice of the time. The Apothecary’s role in society was to provide medical care to the public and he is providing the same service to Romeo with this poison.