Friar Lawrence is a character from the tragedy <em>Romeo and Juliet</em> written by William Shakespeare. He is a cleric who helps Romeo and Juliet throughout the play - he helps them meet, marries them, and wants to help them reunite after Romeo's banishment. He is the one who gives the sleeping potion to Juliet, tricking everyone into thinking that she died. He wants her to leave the tomb with him so that he can hide her in a nunnery, but she refuses to leave after realizing that Romeo is dead. After this, he runs, leaving her alone in the tomb.
Every character's actions matter, including their entrance and exit. There is no such thing as meaningless actions, especially in tragedies such as this one. Laurence is afraid of the consequences he would face if someone found out about him faking Juliet's death. He hears the authorities approaching and runs. Juliet is left alone and kills herself.
