Friar Lawrence

He is a Franciscan friar. This Catholic man wants peace for Verona therefore he doesn't belong to any group and he's a mediator of the conflict.

He seems to understand the "teen spirit": act 2, scene 2, he jokes with Romeo and they talk together free-fully about Rosaline, Juliet and love. He says :

             "Young men's love then lies / Not truly in their hearts, but in their eyes."

 Romeo can confide in him. He gives him wise advice. Even if it was before the opening scene, we guess that Friar Lawrence tried to soften Romeo's passion about Rosaline  inact 2, scene 3 :     

            “Thou chid'st me oft for loving Rosaline. F. Lawrence “For doting, not for loving, pupil mine.”

Friend to both Romeo and Juliet, he will help their love during the whole play always keeping in mind that their union could bring peace for good.  He marries them in secret (act 2, scene 6). He prays the heaven to help the two lovers and to make Verona peaceful. He doesn't only unite them because of his agenda for the city but also because he is worried of their too strong love and he doesn't want them to sin.  He announces :

                        "For, by your leaves, you shall not stay alone /

                         Till holy church incorporate two in one." (act 2, scene 6)

He also helps their love by putting off the wedding between Juliet and Paris.

As well as being a Catholic holy man, Friar Lawrence is also an expert in the use of seemingly mystical potions and herbs. This knowledge will let him help the lovers. When Romeo is banished out of Verona, he will manage to make Juliet run away with her young husband. Unfortunately for many reasons he will fail and the end will be tragic.

Before dying he reveals the truth about Romeo  and Juliet. (act 5, scene 3).

I think he is a necessary character of the play, I pretty much like him because he isn't selfish : he helps the others without thinking of himself. Furthermore I like the fact he doesn't reprimand Romeo for his sins.

Carmen.