Romeo and Juliet Group

Question:

h4nn4h
h4nn4h
Student
High School - 9th Grade

Why is Friar Laurence reluctant to marry Paris to Juliet?

Rate question:

Posted by h4nn4h on Wednesday October 21, 2009 at 4:44 PM and tagged with character, friar, reluctance, romeo and juliet, shakespeare.

Answers:


  1. pohnpei397 Teacher
    Community / Jr. College

    eNotes Editor

    At the beginning of Act IV, Juliet's father has arranged for her to marry Paris.  When Paris goes to see Friar Laurence, though, the Friar does not want to marry Paris to Juliet.

    The reason for Laurence's reluctance is because he has already married Juliet to Romeo in a secret ceremony in his cell.  This happened in Act II, Scene 5.

    Friar Laurence will go on to help Juliet avoid the wedding by giving her the potion that will make her appear to be dead.  Unfortunately, Romeo will think she really is dead and will commit suicide because of it.

     

    Sources:
    http://www.enotes.com/romeo-and-juliet/summary-analysis

    Rate answer:

    Posted by pohnpei397 on Wednesday October 21, 2009 at 5:00 PM