Summary: Act 2, scene 2
In the early morning, Friar Lawrence enters, holding a
basket. He fills the basket with various weeds, herbs, and flowers.
While musing on the beneficence of the Earth, he demonstrates a
deep knowledge of the properties of the plants he collects. Romeo
enters and Friar Lawrence intuits that Romeo has not slept the night
before. The friar fears that Romeo may have slept in sin with Rosaline. Romeo
assures him that did not happen, and describes his new love for
Juliet, his intent to marry her, and his desire that the friar consent to
marry them that very day. Friar Lawrence is shocked at this sudden
shift from Rosaline to Juliet. He comments on the fickleness
of young love, Romeo’s in particular. Romeo defends himself, noting
that Juliet returns his love while Rosaline did not. In response,
the friar comments that Rosaline could see that Romeo’s love for
her “did read by rote, that could not spell.” Remaining skeptical
at Romeo’s sudden change of heart, Friar Lawrence nonetheless agrees
to marry the couple. He expresses the hope that the marriage of
Romeo and Juliet might end the feud ravaging the Montagues and Capulets.
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Act 2, scene 2 →
Summary: Act 2, scene 3
Later that morning, just before nine, Mercutio and Benvolio
wonder what happened to Romeo the previous night. Benvolio has learned
from a Montague servant that Romeo did not return home; Mercutio
spouts some unkind words about Rosaline. Benvolio also relates that
Tybalt has sent a letter to Romeo challenging him to a duel. Mercutio
responds that Romeo is already dead, struck by Cupid’s arrow; he
wonders aloud whether Romeo is man enough to defeat Tybalt. When
Benvolio comes to Romeo’s defense, Mercutio launches into an extended
description of Tybalt. He describes Tybalt as a master swordsman,
perfectly proper and composed in style. According to Mercutio, however,
Tybalt is also a vain, affected “fashionmonger” (2.3.29).
Mercutio disdains all that Tybalt stands for.
Romeo arrives. Mercutio immediately begins to ridicule
him, claiming that Romeo has been made weak by love. As a way of mocking
what he believes is Romeo’s overwrought love for Rosaline, Mercutio
takes the part of Romeo and compares Rosaline to all the most famous
beauties of antiquity, finding Rosaline far superior. Then Mercutio
accuses Romeo of abandoning his friends the previous night. Romeo
does not deny the charge, but claims his need was great, and so
the offense is forgivable. From this proceeds intricate, witty,
and wildly sexual verbal jousting.
The Nurse enters, trailed by the servant, Peter. The Nurse
asks if any of the three young men know Romeo, and Romeo identifies himself.
Mercutio teases the Nurse, insinuating that she is a harlot, thus
infuriating her. Benvolio and Mercutio take their leave to have dinner
at Montague’s house, and Romeo says he will follow shortly. The
Nurse warns Romeo that he had better not attempt to “deal double”
with Juliet, and Romeo assures her he is not. He asks the Nurse
to tell Juliet to find some way to attend confession at Friar Lawrence’s
cell that afternoon; there they will be married. The Nurse agrees
to deliver the message. The Nurse also agrees to set up a cloth
ladder so that Romeo might ascend to Juliet’s room on their wedding
night.
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Act 2, scene 3 →
Analysis: Act 2, scenes 2–3
In this scene we are introduced to Friar Lawrence as he
meditates on the duality of good and evil that exists in all things.
Speaking of medicinal plants, the friar claims that, though everything
in nature has a useful purpose, it can also lead to misfortune if
used improperly: “For naught so vile that on the earth doth live
/ But to the earth some special good doth give, / Nor aught so good
but strain’d from that fair use / Revolts from true birth, stumbling
on abuse: / Virtue itself turns vice, being misapplied; / And vice
sometime’s by action dignified” (2.2.17–22).
At the end of this passage, the friar’s rumination turns toward
a broader application; he speaks of how good may be perverted to
evil and evil may be purified by good. The friar tries to put his
theories to use when he agrees to marry Romeo and Juliet; he hopes
that the good of their love will reverse the evil of the hatred
between the feuding families. Unfortunately, he later causes the
flipside of his theory to come into play: the plan involving a sleep-inducing
potion, which he intends to preserve Romeo and Juliet’s marriage
and love, results in both of their deaths.
The thematic role of the friar in Romeo
and Juliet is hard to pin down. Clearly, Friar Lawrence
is a kindhearted friend to both Romeo and Juliet. He also seems
wise and selfless. But while the friar appears to embody all these
good qualities that are often associated with religion, he is also
an unknowing servant of fate: all of his plans go awry and create
the misunderstandings that lead to the final tragedy.