In life there is always someone, such as a friend, who is influential in a person's development. Authors use people like this as secondary characters in their writing. In William Shakespeare's tragic play Romeo and Juliet the secondary character Friar Lawrence shows his importance to the play by being involved in the development of the plot, Romeo's character, and the theme.

One major role Friar Lawrence has in the play is his effect on the plot. The big thing Friar Lawrence does is that he marries Romeo and Juliet. After the party at the Capulet house Romeo goes to Friar Lawrence to ask the friar if he can marry him and Juliet. At first Friar Lawrence is hesitant to marry them because their families are feuding, and because Romeo is fickle when it comes to love. After being convinced by Romeo, Friar Lawrence agrees to marry them and...