Hubris In Romeo And Juliet

Friar Lawrence is responsible for the death of Romeo and Juliet in William Shakespeare’s The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet. Though the Friar is trying to help Romeo and Juliet, he is the catalyst of their destruction. Friar Lawrence’s hubris starts the chain reaction of tragic events for these “two star crossed lovers” (Prologue. 6). He then performs the marriage of Romeo and Juliet and even fabricates a foolish plan to keep them together when Juliet is forced to marry Paris. He also leaves Juliet alone in the tomb after she awakens to find her beloved Romeo dead. Friar Lawrence is a moral man, but his hubris leads to the death of Romeo and Juliet. Romeo considers the Friar someone he can confide in, and he tells the Friar of his newfound love for Juliet. The Friar’s excessive pride allows him to agree to wed Romeo and Juliet, hoping he can bring the Montagues and Capulets together, though these families hatred spans generations. He even states his goal. “For this alliance so happy prove / To turn your households’ rancor to pure love” (2.3. 91-92). Whether the Friar realizes it or not, he has just done something terrible that only strengthens the bond of these two lovers. This leads to several deaths along the way.

This bond between Romeo and Juliet, fortified by Friar Lawrence and his hubris, causes a serious issue when Tybalt, Juliet’s cousin, challenges Romeo to a duel. Romeo refuses to fight as they are now family by marriage and says, “… But love thee better than thou