Role of Friar Laurence and the Nurse

Role of Friar Laurence and the Nurse

The incessant feud between the Montague and the Capulets is the base and foundation for the fragile and helpless position of their children Romeo and Juliet who love each other. Due to this, both these protagonists turn to other people in their lives for advice. For Romeo, it was the friar who gave him closure and help in time of need and for Juliet, it was the nurse, her mother-figure and confidante.

The Friar’s main role in the play is to marry both the lovers in secrecy and to solve the problems they encounter. There is no doubt that whatever the Friar did, it was only for the welfare of Romeo and Juliet and the society as a whole.  Nevertheless, his plans were partly futile as both the lovers tragically died. However, he did mend the feud between the Montagues and the Capulets. He was a father-figure for Romeo. He is genuinely concerned about his sudden decisions, not unlike a father. His language is formal and full of proverbs to help Romeo understand the problems he may encounter. (“ Is Rosaline whom thou didst love? So, dear, so soon forsaken. Young men’s love, then lies not truly in their hearts, but in their eyes.”).  The centrality of the friar’s role highlights the absence of parental guidance and understanding. The friar helped Romeo understand that committing suicide is not the answer when he was banished and forced to live without Juliet. (“I’ll give thee armor to keep off that word—Adversity’s sweet milk, philosophy—To comfort thee though thou art banished.”).

The Friar also gives Juliet the sleeping potion to help her stay ‘dead’ until Romeo reaches Verona from Mantua. (“If, rather than to marry County Paris, Thou hast the strength of will to slay thyself, Then is it likely thou wilt undertake, A thing like death to chide away this shame”). Even though he tries his hardest to help Romeo’s and juliet’s love to stay alive, his cowardice and inhumanity shines through when he flees from the tomb of Juliet stating he is afraid. The Friar , although a coward, believed that he had done his best to nurture the lovers’ relationship. He is however decent enough to blame himself when he says “ myself condemned and muself excused”.

The nurse’s role is very much like that of the Friar although she is much more minor. In addition to being a mother-figure and a confidante to Juliet, she also acts as comic relief and a messenger for Juliet. She unfortunately fails to understand the spiritual and intense love that Romeo and Juliet share compared to her sexual and physical view of love. (“You’ll fall backward when you grow up, won’t you, Jule?”). She is the only character other than the friar who knows of Juliet’s clandestine love affair. Her role as a comic relief is noticed when she complains of her ache and pains when Juliet askes her desperately of Romeo’s plans for their marriage. (“I am weary. Give me leave awhile. Fie, how my bones ache! What a jaunt have I!”).