"Just as the Nurse is a contrast to Juliet, so Friar Lawrence is a contrast to Romeo."
"Where Romeo is all impulsiveness and youthful innocence, Friar Lawrence is caution and experienced wisdom."
" "
"When we first see him, he is gathering herbs for medicines and musing at length on the philosophical point that good and evil may both be present in one man."
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"The first impression is of a thoughtful man who will consider deeply before adopting a certain course of action. This is in direct contrast to the impetuous Romeo."
8
"Our first impressions of caution and wisdom are confirmed by the advice that he gives Romeo:"
"*Wisely and slow. They stumble that run fast."
"In fact, the Friar would have done well to heed his own advice, because within a few hours we find him marrying Romeo and Juliet, an action that has tragic consequences."
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"For Shakespeare's purposes, Friar Lawrence is a very convenient character."
"He is able to quickly marry the young couple, thus setting up the tragedy that follows, and he is also able to provide Juliet with a devious plan and the means to carry it out."
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"Later we see that the Friar is not a brave man."
9
"Friar Lawrence, may well be compared to the Nurse"
"*See Exam Questions - Model Answer"
"as both are well-meaning characters who reveal negative characteristics late in the play."
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"We discover that the Friar is a coward when he deserts Juliet in the tomb saying"
"*...the watch is coming."
"* ...I dare no longer stay."
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"All in all, the friar is a warm, sincere man who tries to help Romeo and Juliet, but whose weaknesses are exposed by the same cruel Fate that leads to their deaths."
