says that the potiondrinks
will mimic death.
Juliet
marriedin secret. When he got himself banished for brawling in the streets and killing , she
would have been forced to marry another man. Since she did not want to marry , she went to
Friar Laurence for help. He knew her situation because he had secretly married her to
Romeo.
She told him she wanted to kill himself, but he had other ideas. He
told her that he would give her a special "vial" to save the day.
When presently through all thy veins shall run
A cold and
drowsy humour, for no pulse
Shall keep his native progress, but surcease:
No
warmth, no breath, shall testify thou livest;
The roses in thy lips and cheeks shall
fade
To paly ashes, thy eyes' windows fall,
Like death, when he shuts up the
day of life €¦ (Act 4, Scene 1)
Friar Laurence was gifted
with herbs and potions, and knew just the trick. He had developed a special potion which had
the qualities to mimic death. If Juliet drank it, everyone would think she was dead and she
would be buried in her familys tomb. Later, she could be reunited with Romeo.
The problem was that Friar Laurence was also supposed to get word to Romeo, but a
plague delayed the letter. Romeo killed himself after thinking she was dead, right there in her
tomb. She awoke to that. Seeing he had taken poison, she stabbed herself.
After Juliet died for real, Friar Laurence explained to her parents and Romeos parents
what happened.
Then gave I her, so tutor'd by my
art,
A sleeping potion; which so took effect
As I intended, for it wrought on
her
The form of death: meantime I writ to Romeo,
That he should hither come as
this dire night,
To help to take her from her borrow'd grave,
Being the time
the potion's force should cease. (Act 5, Scene 3)
Friar
Laurence took full responsibility, but the Capulets and Montagues forgave him. They were
devastated by the loss of their children, but they realized their part in their deaths. With
their children's deaths, they buried their feud.
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