Friar Lawrence

• 'Within the infant rind of this weak flower, Poison hath residence and medicine power' - Friar Lawrence


  He is introduced as he tends to medicinal herbs. He will later use this knowledge to help Juliet escape her marriage to Paris. The friar explains that poison and medicine can be extracted from the same plant (good vs evil). The mention os poison foreshadows Romeo's death.
• 'These violent delights have violent ends'


  -Highlights the skeptisism of Romeo and Juliets love, warning them that there is potential consequences for their rash decisions.

  -Shows that FL cares about the lovers

  -Juxtaposition as he refers to love as violent, recurring throughout the play.

  -'Violent' reminds audience of the feud, and the prologue where they were fated to die.
• 'Young men's love then lies not truly in their hearts, but in their eyes.'


  -FL believes Romeos love for Juliet is superficial

  -He is confused about Romeos change of heart, he was just pining over Rosaline

  -He implies men love with their 'eyes' suggesting Romeo only loves Juliets beauty, not her personality
• 'This alliance may so happy prove, to turn your households' rancour to pure love'


  -FL believes that this marriage can change the past, and eliminate the ancient grudge.

  -Highlights his naivety as he fails to assess the consequences for the lovers of getting married to eachother.
• 'Romeo, there dead, was husband to that Juliet'


  -FL is trustworthy and the Prince and parents listen to his retelling of their story.

  -Ultimately this retelling leads to the end of the feud.