Back to the Past: An Advice Letter to Friar Lawrence

Dear Friar Lawrence,

As it stands now, you have a very influential position, in both Romeo, and Juliet's life. I would tread carefully if I were you, but in response to recent events, I've noticed that you don't seem to know how to use your immense power and have proceeded irrationally. When Romeo came to your church with the proposal of marrying Juliet, you weren't severely taken aback. Suspicion and shock should have been your immediate feelings, but curiosity seemed to overrule them. Marriage is a dangerous game. All relationships end badly, either in a breakup, death, or divorce, sometimes even a combination of the three. You were suspicious of his antics, I'll give you that, but not  enough. Some could say that Romeo's words when he came to you with his plea, that they were of true love. Some could also say that they were out of youthful rashness. I'm very interested in your perspective on what his words meant, but in my opinion, I believe that Romeo's words conveyed a bit of both rash behavior and true love. His true love for Juliet was propelling his rash behavior. It's apparent that Romeo truly does love Juliet, as it is evident that whenever he is apart from her, he becomes antsy and impatient, which was displayed at the church. He wanted to get the marriage ceremony over with as quick as possible, so he could begin his life with Juliet. If that's not true love, I'm not sure what is. Even so, under the circumstances, marriage would not have been a wise decision even if it was true love.

You didn't really seem to be marrying Romeo and Juliet out of true love, but out of the idea that a positive outcome might result: the uniting of the houses Capulet and Montague. Furthermore, it seemed that you weren't even convinced that Romeo was experiencing true love. As you went with Romeo's plan, the turmoil within yourself was showing. You were trying to talk yourself out of it, interrogating Romeo, unsure if what he was feeling and expressing was true love. You even advised yourself against the marriage by saying, "these violent delights have violent ends and in their triumph die...therefore, love moderately" which demonstrates your conflicting view. It troubles me that at the end of this war inside you, the winning side surrendered. You decided that the possibility of uniting the houses was worth the sacrifice of the two young souls you were marrying. It makes me sick, having to think about it. You doubted yourself constantly but still followed through. It seems like you know of the power you possess, but it's not a matter of you knowing how to use that power, but a matter of you wanting to use your power.

Sincerely,
Shawneth Westeth