In William Shakespeares The Tragedy of Romeo & Juliet, many characters could be seen

as at fault for the deaths of Romeo and Juliet. However, one sole character is truly the one
who wronged the star crossed lovers. That of course, is Friar Lawrence. He gave 13 year old
Juliet a drug to fool her loved ones she died just to get out of a marriage; he married two people,
whose families were already in a fiery feud, and he had another person handle business that
meant life of death for Romeo and Juliet, but it ended in death.
Romeo goes to the Friar to ask if he would wed himself and Juliet. After first refusing, he
eventually agrees without thinking of the imminent consequences. During this conversation, he
says, In on respect Ill thy assistant be, / for this alliance may so happy prove/ to turn your
households rancor to pure love. (II. III. 90-92). Although the Friar has good intentions, he
doesnt have the thoughts of both the Montagues and the Capulets in mind. In fact, right before
the wedding itself, the Friar says These violent delights have violent ends. (II. VI. 9). He is
essentially saying that he knows that their relationship will end terribly, and yet he goes on with
the wedding, which is kept completely secret until it is much too late.
When young Juliet goes to the Friar in desperate need of guidance, and will take her life
if he doesnt help, he comes up with his final attempt at saving the young couple. He orders
Juliet to Go home, be merry, give consent/ to marry Paris Take thou this vial, being then in
bed, / and this liquor drink thou off; / No warmth, no breath, shall testify you livest (I. I. 8998). After Juliet is supposed to drink the potion to induce a temporary coma, he states that Thou
shalt continue two-and-forty hours, /and then awake as from a pleasant sleep. (IV. I. 105-06). So
if everything would go exactly as planned, which they obviously wont, she would awake and be
able to be with Romeo. But in this instance, with time as the main enemy, the letter cant reach
Romeo on time, and will lead to their ultimate demise. If instead, he had found a way to sneak

Juliet out of town, or at least sent the letter to Romeo personally, the confusion that got so many
killed could be prevented.
In act IV, the Friar sent a letter to Romeo in Mantua, telling him of the plan established
with Juliet. But its arrival was halted since he allows Friar John to deliver it, instead of doing it
himself. When asking how the delivery went, Friar John responds with I could not send it-here
it is again. (V. II. 14). Later in this conversation, it is revealed that Friar John didnt even know
the great importance of that letter when Friar Lawrence cries The letter was not nice, but full of
charge, / of dear import. (V. II. 19-20). It is quite possible that if Friar John knew this, he might
have actually tried to find another way to send the letter.
In conclusion, there is plenty of evidence pointing towards Friar Lawrences
accountability in the deaths of Rome and Juliet. His agreement to marry them, his bad planning
and his sloppiness in communication are just a few of many mistakes that killed them. His sheer
incompetence, along with very poor timing, are definitely what murdered Romeo and Juliet.