Romeo & Juliet Lesson 18: Friar Lawrence - Act 2, Scene 3 handout

In Lesson 18 of the Romeo & Juliet series, students delve into Act 2, Scene 3, featuring the character Friar Laurence. The scene opens with Friar Laurence entering with a basket, greeting the morning which transitions the night into day. He speaks poetically about the dawn, describing how the morning light paints the eastern clouds and how the darkness retreats before the sun's fiery ascent. Friar Laurence intends to fill his basket with various plants, acknowledging the dual nature of the earth as both a source of life and a resting place for the dead. He reflects on the earth's role as a mother, providing nourishment to a diverse array of creatures, each with unique virtues.

Friar Laurence muses on the profound power and grace found in nature, such as in herbs, plants, and stones, noting their intrinsic qualities. He contemplates the fine line between good and evil, recognizing that even the most vile thing on earth contributes some goodness, while even the most virtuous can become corrupt if misused. Highlighting the paradox within nature, he observes that within a small flower lies both poison and healing power, depending on how it is used. This duality mirrors the conflict between grace and will within humans. Friar Laurence warns that when negative forces prevail, it can lead to the metaphorical death of the individual or plant consumed by this internal struggle.