Oh Woeful Day...
Act 4 Scene 5, Act 5 Scenes 2 and 3


Alas, Juliet followed through with the plan and she was buried Wednesday afternoon. I sent Friar John to deliver the message of our plan to Romeo in Mantua. Now, I just wait quietly while the others in town mourn the loss of the innocent Juliet. 


Ay me! Friar John just arrived back to my cell. I asked if Romeo got the letter from him about our plan. He said that he got caught up in a quarantine situation where people in Mantua with the Plague were being quarantined and he could not get through. Oh what horrible, dreadful news. I immediately sent him to fetch me a crowbar knowing that now I must get over to the Capulet's tomb as soon as possible. 


I arrived at the graveyard to find Balthasar, Romeo's servant. I asked how long he had been there and he told me about half an hour. A sudden chill went up my spine as I felt something horrible must have happened in the tomb. 


As I walked into the tomb, I saw blood on the floor and two swords. Whose was the second sword. As I took a step forward I saw the blood-drenched body of County Paris. Oh no Romeo, what have you done now? However, as I went to the coffin in which Juliet was buried. I saw his body. His lips and cheeks still pink, but his chest, breathless. But wait, Juliet is stirring. As she woke up she immediately remembered where she was and frantically asked for the whereabouts of Romeo. I responded, truthfully, yet, regrettably, that he was lying lifeless right next to her.


Oh no, a noise! I told her that we must leave, but she insisted on staying so I left the tomb hurriedly, anticipating just what might happen when I left. However, I did not get far. One of the graveyard watchmen caught me and took me back to the tomb, where now the Prince, and both houses were present. I was soon bombarded with questions as to what had happened, so I gave a brief explanation of Romeo and Juliet's marriage. All of the faces were shocked as not only were their children married to the others' child, but also because I am a holy man that defied the law. They two houses soon realized that their feud should end and ended up deciding to erect golden statues of Romeo and Juliet. 


Although this is not exactly what I had in mind when I thought the feud would end as a result of the marriage, it did work. 


Goodbye for now,


Friar Lawrence ✝

Another Marriage?

Act 4 Scene 1

Today I was alerted of yet another wedding in Verona. However, this wedding caused me great confusion. The noble and wealthy County Paris entered my cell today to discuss the matter of his wedding to Juliet! How can this be? Juliet is already married! He said that they were to be married on Thursday. Thursday? That is only two days away! Oh, how will I devise a solution by that time? 

In walked Juliet looking quite distraught. She, seeing Paris, soon masked her emotions and politely responded to his quite imposing comments as if he was already her husband. I soon asked if she hath come for shrift. She said yes and Paris took this as his cue to leave. 

Juliet went into another room with such anger and passion I feared she might break something. She soon poured out all of her emotions and feelings to me as if I were an empty glass and she were an over-flowing pitcher. She told me all about how her father was forcing her to marry Paris and that even her faithful Nurse told her that he was better than Romeo. She asked me for advice and I told her that Paris was a good man, but I knew she wouldn't accept this advice. 

I soon came up with another plan in which she would take this potion that I recently concocted and when she drank it that night, she would be put into a deep death-like sleep. She immediately agreed to this plan. I of course needed to make sure that she really thought it through before I gave her the potion. We devised a plan that Romeo would come after she had been buried in the family tomb and her would wait for her to wake from her long slumber and then they would run away together in the darkest hour of the night.

I hope she follows through,

Friar Lawrence ✝

Ay Me!
Act 3 Scene 5


Romeo and Juliet are clearly very passionate, for I had to practically pull them apart from each other before they committed a sin right before my very eyes! After their loving embrace, the marriage went beautifully and also quietly in the hopes of not arousing attention. Oh, how in love they really are! Young love, it's such a beautiful thing. When they see each other it is as if the air has been sucked from their lungs, and they cannot breathe until they are in each other's arms. 


Later that very same day, however, a dark cloud was cast upon the city. Tybalt hath slain Mercutio, and Romeo hath slain Tybalt. Ay me! What a foolish act! After the Prince caught wind of what happened, he did not sentence the living Romeo to death, but instead banished him from Verona. Ay me! Ay me! Ay me! Oh Romeo, Romeo, what makes thee do such foolish things? He came running into my cell after apparently fleeing the town square and sat, for what felt like hours, curled up on the floor getting drunk on his own tears.


I fear for thee Romeo,


Friar Lawrence ✝

Marriage?
Act 2 Scene 3


I cannot believe it! Today, Romeo approached me while I was in my garden collecting medicinal plants. He seemed rather rushed in his greeting, and I could tell that he had not been to bed the night before. I immediately assumed that he had spent the night with Rosaline, but he soon informed me that he was actually with his family's greatest foe, a Capulet. He wasn't with just any Capulet though; he was with the beautiful Juliet Capulet. 


Soon after that, he informed me that they are in love and that they wish to be married. Married?! Honestly, it is as if he pays no attention to what I advise him to do. At first it was Rosaline with whom he was madly in love, and now all of the sudden it's Juliet! I have told him countless times to take his relationships slowly and not get too invested with someone too quickly. This time, it's not just love. It's marriage! 


However, I soon realized how great this marriage could be. This marriage could mean the end of this great family feud! I reluctantly agreed to marry them. Romeo was immediately overjoyed and rushed off to find his love. 


Oh rash and irresponsible student, when will you learn to listen?


As always, God be with you-


Friar Lawrence ✝

Romeo is in love

Act 2 Scene 1

Well, of course Mercutio and Benvolio got Romeo to go to the Capulet's ball. I had a premonition that would happen. Romeo originally went in order to see Rosaline; however, upon his arrival he was seduced by another girl's beauty. He quickly lost interest in Rosaline and now has moved his passion completely towards Juliet Capulet! What a foolish and rash decision he has made! That boy knows how much their families hate each other, but he still manages to fall in love with the wrong person again.

He irritates me quite a bit in his decision making. It is as if he does not listen to a word I say. She is the daughter of his family's rivals, so she could not possibly return his love. I must warn him as soon as possible of how this will turn out. I cannot stand to see his heart ache another time.

Until next time,

May God be with you--Friar Lawrence ✝

Oh Romeo, Romeo...
Act 1 Scenes 1 and 2


Once again, Romeo, the son of Lord and Lady Montague, has rushed into a decision. He has been moping around like some "love-sick" pup for days. He has fallen, once again, head over heels for a young girl named Rosaline. However, she is very conservative and plans to save herself for God. Romeo has asked me why she would do this instead of carrying her beauty on into their children. The only explanation I can give him, being myself a man of God, is that some people see their destinies differently than others, and one must learn to accept another's wishes.


I am not sure why Romeo rushes into these situations time after time. I always warn him that he must slow down and really get to know the girl before he falls in love, but he never really listens to me. He thinks, after all, I am just a friar; what do I know about relationships? However, over the years, I must say that I have acquired much knowledge on the subject through many shrifts. I do know that he has made many mistakes in the past in choosing a woman to love, and this worries me. Will he ever find someone who is really suitable for him? 


I am aware of the Capulet's party coming up, and knowing the boisterous Mercutio, I hope that Romeo does not get tangled up in it in some way. ✝