Friar Lawrence agrees to secretly marry Romeo and Juliet. Although initially surprised by Romeo's sudden shift of affection from Rosaline to Juliet, Friar Lawrence consents to perform the marriage because he hopes that the union between the Montague and Capulet families will end their longstanding feud and bring peace to Verona
. Additionally, after Romeo is banished from Verona, Friar Lawrence devises a plan for Romeo to visit Juliet and then flee to Mantua, promising to send news to Romeo once the situation calms down
. Later, when Juliet faces the prospect of marrying Paris, Friar Lawrence also agrees to help by giving Juliet a potion that will make her appear dead, intending to reunite her with Romeo once she awakens
