There are several ways to look at Friar Lawrence, some more fit than others. I found three of these, but first the basic facts about him.
He is Catholic, when Shakespeare wrote Romeo and Juliet, England was a Protestant country. Many writers of the time made fun of Catholics in their plays, but Friar Lawrence is treated respectfully, and has perfection and faults like everyone else. As a member of the Order of St. Francis, a group of wise and generous priests, he means well throughout the play, many people come to him for advice, and he does his best to help them. Romeo and Juliet trusted Friar Laurence completely, turning to him for his advice, and solutions. He often reminds Romeo of the Church's teachings, and he tries to use his position to end the feud. He's an outdoors man, St. Francis loved nature, and so did Friar Lawrence. He gives a significant description of the dawn, and he knows the plants and flowers well enough to make medicines.
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