Why wasn't Friar Laurence's letter delivered to romeo and did Friar John go to Mantua himself or did he try to get a messenger?

Answer 1

Friar Laurence's letter is not delivered to Romeo because Friar John was kept in quarantine since there was a plague in his house. Friar John wanted to go to Mantua himself but he couldn't. Once Friar Laurence hears this he says:

"Now must I to the monument alone.

Within these three hours will fair Juliet wake.

She will beshrew me much that Romeo

Hath had no notice of these accidents;

But I will write again to Mantua,

And keep her in my cell till Romeo come."

His plan is to go to the tomb, get Juliet then write a second letter. But Friar Laurence's second letter is never sent to Romeo because Romeo's servant Balthazar has already told him Juliet is dead. Romeo arrives at the tomb before Friar Laurence can even write the second letter, which results in Romeo killing himself, which results in Juliet killing herself.