Just as we should consider the Nurse a parental figure to Juliet the same could be said for the Friar and Romeo. Friar Lawrence not only shows his affection for Romeo but he also gives him fatherly advice on more than one occasion.
In Act II, Scene 3, the Friar, as a father would, chastises Romeo for being out all night and for falling in love with another girl after so soon being in love...
Just as we should consider the Nurse a parental figure to Juliet the same could be said for the Friar and Romeo. Friar Lawrence not only shows his affection for Romeo but he also gives him fatherly advice on more than one occasion.
In Act II, Scene 3, the Friar, as a father would, chastises Romeo for being out all night and for falling in love with another girl after so soon being in love with Rosaline. The Friar comments:
Young men’s love then lies
Not truly in their hearts, but in their eyes.
The Friar is often giving guidance to Romeo (unfortunately Romeo doesn't listen) about how the young man should handle his new love for Juliet. In the marriage scene, Act II, Scene 6, he urges Romeo to take things slow and to be patient. He says,
Therefore love moderately. Long love doth so.
Too swift arrives as tardy as too slow.
The Friar is at his most fatherly after Romeo has killed Tybalt and is distraught over being banished. Romeo is acting quite immaturely as he cries to the Friar about having to leave Verona and lose access to Juliet. The Friar reminds Romeo that he is actually fortunate. The Prince could have sentenced Romeo to death for fighting in the streets, as he promised in Act I, but instead he exiles Romeo.
The Friar tells Romeo to be patient and to go to Mantua and let things calm down. Once some time has healed a few wounds, the Friar tells Romeo the two lovers can once again be reunited. In Act III, Scene 3:
Go, get thee to thy love, as was decreed.
Ascend her chamber. Hence and comfort her.
But look thou stay not till the watch be set,
For then thou canst not pass to Mantua,
Where thou shalt live till we can find a time
To blaze your marriage, reconcile your friends,
Beg pardon of the Prince, and call thee back
With twenty hundred thousand times more joy
Than thou went’st forth in lamentation.
As with a father (Friar means father), Lawrence loves Romeo and wants what is best for him. This love, however, blinds the Friar to the true consequences of his indulgence of Romeo's impetuous actions. The Friar should have consulted with the parents at some point to avert the final tragedy.
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