Romeo and Juliet Summative
People should think about things carefully before they act.
Act 2, Scene 3
"'In one respect I'll thy assistant be;
For this alliance may so happy prove
To turn your households rancor to pure love.'"
Citation: p 1031; lines 98-100
Friar Laurence is speaking to Romeo, saying he'll marry Romeo and Juliet. Friar Laurence didn't really give this idea much thought. He knows that the Capulets and Montagues hate each other, and that a lot of problems in their plan can occur, but he gets involved anyway.
Romeo asking Friar Laurence to marry him and Juliet
Act 3, Scene 3
"'Go get thee to thy love, as we decreed,
Ascend her chamber, hence and comfort her.
But look thou stay not till the watch be set,
For then thou canst not pass to Mantua,'"
Citation: p 1060; lines 133-136
Friar Laurence is talking to Romeo. Telling him to see Juliet, then leave for Mantua. Friar Laurence just told Romeo to leave, but now, it's harder to give information to him efficiently, which causes a big problem later on in the story.
Friar Laurence comforting Romeo
Act 5, Scene 2
"'The letter was not nice, but full of charge,
Of dear import, and the neglecting it
May do much danger.'"
Citation: p 1090; lines 19-21
Friar Laurence is talking to Friar John, who is supposed to deliver the letter about him and Juliet's plan. Friar Laurence knows that if the letter doesn't get to Romeo, it will be bad, but he goes with it anyway.
Friar Laurence giving Friar John the letter for Romeo
Act 4, Scene 1
And this distilled liquor drink thou off;
When presently through all thy veins shall run
A cold and drowsy humor; for no pulse
Shall keep his native progress, but surcease;
No warmth, no breath, shall testify thou livest;'"
Citation: p 1075; lines 103-108
Friar Laurence is talking to Juliet, telling her to drink a potion that'll make her appear dead. The potion made Juliet look dead, but since Romeo is in Mantua, Friar Laurence couldn't quickly personally tell him that Juliet's not actually dead, which is a major cause for the tragedy in the end. Because Friar Laurence made such an impulsive decision, the fate of Romeo and Juliet changed.