ChArAcTeRs


but can also be consumed by their own flawed natures – that their ‘rude will’ may be their undoing. There are a number of moments in the play when Friar Laurence reflects on the destructive consequences of passion and haste. He tells Romeo, ‘Wisely and slow; they stumble that run fast’ warning him about the dangers of haste. Shortly before the wedding ceremony, Friar Laurence repeats this idea: ‘These violent delights have violent ends, / And in their triumph die, like fire and powder, / Which as they kiss consume.’ Friar Laurence understands that Romeo’s impassioned nature may be his undoing. However, he still agrees to perform the wedding ceremony.


FlAwEd As with so many of Shakespeare’s characters, Friar Laurence has his flaws. His efforts to unite the feuding families by hastily marrying their children is unwise. His scheme to fake Juliet’s death is perhaps a desperate one. He relies too much on Friar John to successfully deliver his letter to Romeo and he causes great distress to the Capulets by helping Juliet fake her own death. Most damningly, Friar Laurence acts in a cowardly way in the Capulets’ tomb during the


final scene. He tells Juliet that he will hide her among ‘a sisterhood of holy nuns’. This is arguably to disguise his part in the tragic ending. Furthermore, when Juliet wakes to find Romeo’s body beside her, she is obviously distressed. Rather than staying to comfort her or trying harder to convince her to leave, Friar Laurence flees in fear. This gives the traumatised Juliet time to take her own life.


FrIaR LaUrEnCe


✓ Well-intentioned ✓ A respected advisor ✓ Philosophical and often wise ✓ Flawed


PoRtFoLiO Deepen your understanding of Friar Laurence by completing your Character Log, p.108.


MeRcUtIo WiTtY


Throughout the play Mercutio engages in verbal banter, often with Romeo. He enjoys wordplay and puns in many of his scenes. For example, when the Montagues discuss Tybalt’s letter of challenge sent to Romeo, Mercutio says, ‘Any man that can write may answer a letter’ (‘answer’ meaning to reply to the letter and also to answer the challenge to a duel). Even when Mercutio is fatally wounded, he speaks in double meanings: ‘Ask for me tomorrow, and when shall find me a grave man’ (‘grave’ meaning serious and also dead).


PlAyFuL This type of wordplay and banter lends Mercutio a playfulness as he enjoys poking fun at others. He teases Romeo about his infatuation with Rosaline a number of times. When Romeo complains, ‘I have a soul of lead / So stakes me to the ground I cannot move’, Mercutio mocks him: ‘You are a lover: borrow Cupid’s wings, / And soar with them above a common bound.’ Similarly, when Romeo disappears into the Capulets’ orchard, Mercutio playfully pretends to conjure him up and invokes Rosaline’s body as he does so:


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