Romeo and Juliet: The Story Behind the Story

Plotting with Poison

It was early the next morning when I decided to go out and gather various herbs, poisonous weeds and medicinal flowers alike, knowing they may soon come in handy. For a good part of an hour I talk to myself seemingly out of boredom, ranting about Earth and her goodness. But on the inside I am thinking, "How can I get Juliet out of the way?" Since Romeo had taken her fancy, maybe I could convince her to run off with him and never come back for fear of their fathers'. Or maybe I could slip a little everlasting sleep potion into her evening drink.

But truly, I could not do much until Tybalt comes back to me for more information. My plan would change slightly for those few details, but I knew the basics. Paris would be mine. Before I could think of more ways of grasping my prize, a young man came blundering towards me.

"Morning Friar!" said Romeo gleefully, walking towards me with a bounce in his step. That bounce resembled that of Tybalt's when he would leave me after a fine night. Could he have fallen over backwards with Juliet?

"Good morning to you, but dear me it is early. The only reason you could be up at this time would be that you have not slept a wink all night. Anxious at all Romeo?" Maybe I didn't need Tybalt for that information.

Blushing Romeo hesitantly said, "Not exactly, it was a uh... sweet and pleasurable night."

My eyes widened, for as a "friar" I should have been disgraced at him. In reality my heart was racing with hope and thanks. "But I thought Rosaline, the girl you loved, wished to remain chaste for the rest of her life. How did you do it?"

"It wasn't Rosaline, it was my enemy who has stolen my love." So I was right, the little brat had fallen in what she believed to be love with this boy. "Capulet's daughter is the only one whom I have eyes for."

"So soon you are over with your obsession with Rosalind? And much sooner have you declared love for another girl? How do-"

"I know I love her?" interrupted Romeo. "Because she loves me back. It has only been a day, but we have both confessed our undying love for one another. We light up each others' worlds, and will until the end of times."

"My dear boy I thank you for your confession of your sinful acts, but is there another reason you have come to me? I can see in your eyes that there is something else eating your mind."

"Would you please marry myself and Juliet? Our love is strong and we wish to be united by the church." I gazed at Romeo, perplexed at the stupidity of two young people wishing to be married after knowing each other for mere hours'

Well this day was just getting better and better. Maybe if she is this in love with her dear Romeo, Juliet would be willing to run far from here for his safety. But then again I am not the man I was, before I would be able to touch the hair on his head he would have killed me. Perhaps I could convince the pair to run away and be left with no blood on my hands. But where's the fun in that?

"I will marry you, but as you have probably realized it will be secret for fear of your families. Then again it could unite your two families." Or it could cause the two families to shed blood.

Romeo glanced at the sun with shock. "Gosh I must be off. See you for our marriage Friar Lawrence!" He ran off as the sun shone more brightly over a waking Verona.

After he was finally out of my sight, I continued my harvesting. Subconsciencly I was searching for the best and easiest poison to slip into wedding wine. That was one of my backup plans though. If she died too fast Paris would most likely move onto another girl and my chance to get him would be ruined. Perhaps a death orchestrated as a mix-up would work. I believed that the best plan at that time was to get the newly we'd couple as far away from here as possible.

"Hello dear Lawrence," whispered Tybalt into my ear, making me jump. "I see you have had the honor of speaking to that pompous son of Montague while you pick your crop."

I nodded and said, "Have you more information than what Romeo revealed to me himself?" I doubted it, but I had to make sure I wasn't missing an important piece of the puzzle.

Tybalt snorted. "Romeo has told you everything except the details of his adventure. While I could tell you those details, there's a more pressing matter at hand. What I have come to tell you, my love, is that Paris has a plot of his own."

"A plot?" Had Paris found out about Romeo and wishes to kill him? Or had he found out about me and my secret side business?

"Yes, he wishes to marry Juliet with increased want. It was all he spoke about to his servants last night. He plans to guilt the old man into giving her up, and use all the gifts he can afford to flatter him." Tybalt glanced to the town below with tired eyes.

I pat his back and whisper, "You have done well, why don't you get some rest." After a moment's hesitation I add, "My love." He nods and follows the path Romeo had taken only minutes earlier.

So my plan needs a little tweaking. I do not wish for deaths, but if I am lucky  I will get to concoct a poison, another favorite pastime of mine.