Q: When did you become aware of Romeo and Juliet's Relationship?
Early Monday morning, Romeo arrived at my cell. I was expecting him to enthuse about his love for Rosaline. I had thought he found his perfect match. However, I could not have been more incorrect. In fact, Romeo came to me and asked me to marry himself to a young lady, not Rosaline but Juliet--a Capulet. He said to me "By holy marriage. When and where and how We met, we wooed, and made exchange of vow, I'll tell thee as we pass; but this I pray, That thou consent to marry us today" (II.iii.61-64). I was surprised and dismayed because Romeo had just recently expressed such love for Rosaline. I could not understand how he could forget about Rosaline so quickly. I questioned him about it: "Holy Saint Francis! What a change is here! Is Rosaline, that thou didst love so dear, So soon forsaken? Young men's love then lies Not truly in their hearts, but in their eyes" (II.iii.65-68). Romeo insisted that his love for Juliet was pure and genuine and enforced the marriage arrangements. I only agreed to marry the couple because I thought that the marriage of a Capulet and a Montague could potentially end the ongoing family feud. I was just trying to make peace, not cause havoc.
Q: What are your thoughts on Romeo's fight with Tybalt which led to banishment?
It is a shame that such an outrageous tragedy had to occur here in Verona. Murder is unacceptable behaviour in Verona and as a result, Romeo was banished by the Prince. As an optimist, I was trying my best to help Romeo through this situation. He was lucky to be alive and he should have held on to his life for as long as he could. However, Romeo disagreed with me and said "'Tis torture and not mercy. Heaven is here, Where Juliet lives" (III.iii.29-30). It became clear that he would rather die than live without Juliet. This is the moment that I knew how much Juliet meant to Romeo. Perhaps Romeo's behaviour suggested another tragic event that was to come in the future--his suicide.
Q: How did you feel when Paris was discussing a wedding between himself and Juliet?
I wish I could have said something to stop the marriage plans but it was out of my control. Juliet's father had enforced the marriage directly after Romeo left. Paris was thrilled and had intentions of cheering up Juliet after her cousin, Tybalt's, death although this was not the reason she was upset. Juliet missed her true love Romeo and she was devastated that she may never see him again.
Q: Why did you give Juliet a sleeping potion?
It all began when I was approached by young Juliet. She came to my cell Tuesday afternoon in distress. She explained the situation she was in and told me how much she loved Romeo. She was indeed desperate for a way to avoid marrying Paris. She said "tell me not friar, that thou hearest of this, Unless thou tell me how I may prevent it. If in thy wisdom thou canst give no help, Do thou but call my resolution wise And with this knife I'll keep it presently."(IV.i.50-54) The poor girl began to threaten her own life and it was in my best interest to save her. I suggested a potion which would put her to sleep: "Shall, stiff and stark and cold, appear like death; And in this borrowed likeness of shrunk death Thou shalt continue two-and-forty hours, And then awake as from pleasant sleep" (IV.i.103-106). The potion was harmless, so I thought. Juliet was interested in my suggestion and insisted on receiving the potion immediately. Love is powerful and did indeed influence my actions and decisions.
Did you ever doubt your decision to give Juliet the potion?
No, not once. I was confident that I had done the right thing. I consistently try my best to do what is right and I do not believe in polyandry which is against tradition. After all I had arranged a messenger, Friar John, to deliver the news to Romeo in Mantua. At the time I truly thought I had solved the problem and Romeo and Juliet would be able to live together and love each other.
Describe your emotions when you discovered Romeo and Juliet dead?
I was absolutely devastated. I immediately thought of their poor families, the Capulets and the Montagues because until then, they had no idea about Romeo and Juliet's secret relationship. I knew, I knew about it the entire time and I kept it a secret as well. I cannot help but to think of what I could have changed or done differently. I questioned my decisions, to keep secrets, marry Romeo and Juliet and give Juliet that potion. The only option was to explain the situation to the families because they deserved to know why this tragedy occurred: "Romeo, there dead, was husband to that Juliet; And she, that's Romeo's faithful wife. I married them; and their stol'n marriage day Was Tybalt's doomsday, whose untimely death Banished the new-made bridegroom from this city; For whom, and not for Tybalt, Juliet pined" (V.iii.231-236). Their tragic suicides made everyone aware of their love for each other. It was clear that their love was so strong and so genuine that they were willing to take their own lives rather than live without their significant other.