Romeo & Juliet - Act 5 Scene 2
Friar Laurence's cell.
Enter FRIAR JOHN
FRIAR JOHN
Holy Franciscan friar! Brother, ho!
Enter FRIAR LAURENCE
FRIAR LAURENCE
This same should be the voice of Friar John.
Welcome from Mantua; what says Romeo?
Or, if his mind be writ, give me his letter.
Friar John's brief explanation puts an emphasis on chance accidents as the cause of the play's tragedy, rather than fate or human malice.
FRIAR JOHN
Going to find a bare-foot brother out,
One of our order, to associate me,
Here in this city visiting the sick,
And finding him, the searchers of the town,
Suspecting that we both were in a house
Where the infectious pestilence did reign,
Sealed up the doors, and would not let us forth;
So that my speed to Mantua there was stayed.
Following the pattern of reversal and disruption, Friar Laurence initially assumes that all is proceeding according to plan, then discovers that his careful schemes are falling apart.
FRIAR LAURENCE
Who bare my letter, then, to Romeo?
FRIAR JOHN
I could not send it – here it is again –
Nor get a messenger to bring it thee,
So fearful were they of infection.
The play again builds dramatic irony: Friar Laurence fears that Romeo will not arrive at the tomb, while the audience is aware that Romeo is on his way there, lacking crucial information and carrying lethal poison.
FRIAR LAURENCE
Unhappy fortune! By my brotherhood,
The letter was not nice but full of charge
Of dear import, and the neglecting it
May do much danger. Friar John, go hence;
Get me an iron crow, and bring it straight
Unto my cell.
FRIAR JOHN
Brother, I'll go and bring it thee.
Exit
FRIAR LAURENCE
Now must I to the monument alone;
Within three hours will fair Juliet wake.
She will beshrew me much that Romeo
Hath had no notice of these accidents;
But I will write again to Mantua,
And keep her at my cell till Romeo come;
Poor living corse, closed in a dead man's tomb!
Exit