Romeo and Juliet Group

Question:

brendanewland
brendanewland
Student
High School - 9th Grade

In Act III, Scene iii of Romeo and Juliet, what are some NEW character traits revealed in terms of the Friar?

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Posted by brendanewland on Tuesday October 28, 2008 at 4:10 PM and tagged with act 3, characters, friar, romeo and juliet.

Answers:


  1. troutmiller Teacher
    High School - 12th Grade

    eNotes Editor

    The Friar shows for the first time some frustration in Romeo in the lines:

    "but the kind prince,
    Taking thy part, hath rush'd aside the law,
    And turn'd that black word death to banishment:
    This is dear mercy, and thou seest it not."

    He also calls Romeo a "madman" when he says "O, then I see that madmen have no ears" when Romeo won't listen to the Friar's reasoning.  He is frustrated to have no control over Romeo and/or his actions--even to the point when Romeo draws his dagger in this scene.

    Then the Friar shows the qualities of an administrator/facilitator, which is not part of his character at all.  He is just supposed to be a holy man, nothing more.  He makes the plans for Romeo to sneak out of town to Mantua.  Then the Friar says that he will announce their marriage and beg pardon from the prince.  All will be well. 

    Sources:
    http://www.enotes.com/romeo-text/act-iii-scene-iii

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    Posted by troutmiller on Thursday October 30, 2008 at 10:22 AM