1. The trial of friar lawrence

2. PROSECUTION Friar Lawrence helped Juliet to disobey her father.
Friar Lawrence is older and should have been wiser. He should not have led her to deceive her family.
Juliet already had someone else to marry. Friar Lawrence was out of line by marrying her to Romeo.
Friar Lawrence should have some up with a better plan, one that did not involve any death.
As a member of the church, Friar Lawrence was committing sins when he deceived people.
How could a Friar be involved with causing the Capulet and Montague families with such pain?

3. DEFENSE
Friar Lawrence’s whole plan centered around keeping Romeo and Juliet alive.
Both Romeo and Juliet were threatening suicide before Friar Lawrence’s plan. He only meant to prevent their deaths.
Friar Lawrence cannot be held responsible for Friar John not being able to deliver the letter.
Both the sped up wedding to Paris and the plague were to blame for Romeo and Juliet acting out of desperation.
Friar Lawrence cannot control fate.
Fate is to blame, not Friar Lawrence.

4. WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING
“What are these families trying to win? #uselessbattle”
“I’m the neighbor of Capulet in Verona. I heard a lot of things about the children of Capulet and Montague. First, I heard about their secret marriage. Then, some people talked about Juliet and Paris having a wedding. However, Romeo and Juliet were found dead together in Capulet’s tomb. I think Juliet didn’t want to marry Paris, so she killed herself and died with Romeo. Their parents will never agree.”
“Not everyone has a successful destiny. #starcrossedlovers”
“How can Juliet not listen to her father? #familyfeud #baddaughter”
“I am a citizen of Verona. I have known about the long feud between Montagues and Capulets, but I was shocked when I heard that their children fell in love with each other. My mom worked at Capulet’s house, and she told me everything. I feel sorry for those poor children – they have to choose between love or family.”
”Romeo killed Tybalt! #rageofmontague #banished”
“OMG! Did you guys know Romeo and Juliet secretly married? #secretmarriage #thingsyoudoforlove”

5. THE VERONA TIMES HEADLINES: “WHO KILLED ROMEO AND JULIET?”
“IS FRIARY LAWRENCE GUILTY FOR THE DEATHS OF ROMEO AND JULIET?”
“A MARRIAGE CERTIFICATE STATES ROMEO AND JULIET WERE SECRETLY MARRIED!”
“THE RESULT OF GOING AGAINST ELIZABETHAN CULTURE”
“ADULT’S MISTAKES KILLED TWO INNOCENT CHILDREN!”
“IS FRIAR LAWRENCE REALLY A MAN OF GOD?”
“THE MASTERMIND BEHIND THE DEATHS OF ROMEO AND JULIET”

6. Argumentative Essay Topic: Is Friar Lawrence responsible for the deaths of Romeo and Juliet? Your Task: Based on your reading of the play, The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet, and the court case that was presented in class, write a well-developed 5-paragraph argument regarding whether or not Friar Lawrence is responsible for the deaths of Romeo and Juliet. Clearly establish your claim, distinguish your claim from alternate or opposing claims, and use specific evidence from the play and from the trial to support your position and develop your argument. Do not simply summarize each text.
Guidelines:
Be sure to:
Establish your claim regarding whether or not Friar Lawrence is responsible for the deaths of Romeo and Juliet
Distinguish your claim from alternate or opposing claims
Use specific, relevant, and sufficient evidence from at least three of the texts to develop your argument
Identify each source that you reference by text number and line number(s) or graphic (for example: Text 1, line 4 or Text 2, graphic)
Organize your ideas in a cohesive and coherent manner
Maintain a formal style of writing
Follow the conventions of standard written English

7. Introduction Paragraph
Introduce Topic: What is being debated?
Introduce both claims: for and against
Thesis: Position
General
Specific

8. Body Paragraph Topic Sentence Provide Example Explain Example
Connect Example to Topic/Thesis

9. Body Paragraphs Topic Sentence Provide Examples Explain Examples
Which idea will you be focusing on in this paragraph? What will you be proving about the topic?
Topic Sentence
According to…
Provide Citations: In Act 4 Scene 1…
Provide Examples
Make sure to fully explain how your examples support your thesis statement.
Explain Examples
Make your position clear. Conclude each paragraph so that the entire essay is focused on your argument. “This shows… This further proves… ”
Connect Examples

10. Others argue… However, …
Don’t forget!
Make sure that you include at least a sentence or two mentioning the counter claim, the other argument…
Others argue… However, …

11. Provide the reader a final thought to consider
conclusion
Begin with a transitional phrase for concluding
Rephrase Thesis
Summarize Points
Provide the reader a final thought to consider
Specific
General

12. Essay Format Intro Body 1 Body 2 Body 3 Conclude Topic 2 Sides Thesis
Example
Your claim
Body 2
Body 3
Distinguish then back to your claim
Conclude
Restate Thesis
Summarize
Essay Format