Hadassah Brenner
Dr. Honig
Shakespeare
11/14/16
A Test of Faith
In Romeo and Juliet, Shakespeare conveys the presence of ecclesiastical dominance and papal corruption through religious figure, Friar Lawrence’s abuse of his authoritative position. Shakespeare makes the claim that the church is evil through the development of the Friar’s role from an originally moral character to an individual who misuses power for his own benefit. He warns the audience that this perversion of God’s will cannot escape heavenly justice when the Friar ultimately cannot avoid the consequences of his misconduct as fate pays its due with the tragic deaths of Romeo and Juliet.
Friar Lawrence first appears collecting herbs and plants of both poisonous and medicinal …show more content…
He claims matrimony is a foolish decision upon Romeo’s part, exclaiming “Holy Saint Francis, what a change is here! / 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” (2.3.65-68). Clearly, the Friar doubts Romeo’s love of Juliet, being that mere hours before this sudden change of heart, Romeo’s love for Rosaline bordered on obsession. He wonders about Romeo’s intentions, assuming Romeo is simply infatuated with Juliet’s looks, yet his indecision to marry the two soon turns to eagerness, when he realizes “this alliance may so happy prove/ To turn your households ' rancor to pure love” (2.3.91-92). Instilling peace between the two families would bring the Friar a great honor he simply cannot resist, despite his knowledge that marrying the young lovers is not in their best interest. He even warns Romeo, “Wisely and slow. They stumble that run fast,” inferring that Romeo should take his time in this decision, yet the Friar neglects to follow his own advice, rushing to marry Romeo and Juliet, for his own selfish cause (2.3.94). When the Friar does marry them, he proclaims, “So smile the heavens upon this holy act / That after-hours with sorrow chide us not,” (2.6.1-2). His conscience gets to him with a foreboding feeling and …show more content…
The tragedy does however end with the Friar’s confession of his corruption, as a hopeful Shakespeare wishes the church will do the same. He also includes the truce between the two families with the discovery of what hatred and corruption are capable of and the promise that retribution will be delivered, as he is ever the
Dr. Honig
Shakespeare
11/14/16
A Test of Faith
In Romeo and Juliet, Shakespeare conveys the presence of ecclesiastical dominance and papal corruption through religious figure, Friar Lawrence’s abuse of his authoritative position. Shakespeare makes the claim that the church is evil through the development of the Friar’s role from an originally moral character to an individual who misuses power for his own benefit. He warns the audience that this perversion of God’s will cannot escape heavenly justice when the Friar ultimately cannot avoid the consequences of his misconduct as fate pays its due with the tragic deaths of Romeo and Juliet.
Friar Lawrence first appears collecting herbs and plants of both poisonous and medicinal …show more content…
He claims matrimony is a foolish decision upon Romeo’s part, exclaiming “Holy Saint Francis, what a change is here! / 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” (2.3.65-68). Clearly, the Friar doubts Romeo’s love of Juliet, being that mere hours before this sudden change of heart, Romeo’s love for Rosaline bordered on obsession. He wonders about Romeo’s intentions, assuming Romeo is simply infatuated with Juliet’s looks, yet his indecision to marry the two soon turns to eagerness, when he realizes “this alliance may so happy prove/ To turn your households ' rancor to pure love” (2.3.91-92). Instilling peace between the two families would bring the Friar a great honor he simply cannot resist, despite his knowledge that marrying the young lovers is not in their best interest. He even warns Romeo, “Wisely and slow. They stumble that run fast,” inferring that Romeo should take his time in this decision, yet the Friar neglects to follow his own advice, rushing to marry Romeo and Juliet, for his own selfish cause (2.3.94). When the Friar does marry them, he proclaims, “So smile the heavens upon this holy act / That after-hours with sorrow chide us not,” (2.6.1-2). His conscience gets to him with a foreboding feeling and …show more content…
The tragedy does however end with the Friar’s confession of his corruption, as a hopeful Shakespeare wishes the church will do the same. He also includes the truce between the two families with the discovery of what hatred and corruption are capable of and the promise that retribution will be delivered, as he is ever the