Who remarks that banishment is preferable to death?

Who remarks that banishment is preferable to death?

• A. Juliet
• B. Mercutio
• C. Nurse
• D. Friar Lawrence

Answer: (D)

The moment tests how mercy and practical thinking can trump harsh punishment. When Romeo learns he’s banished, he fears death more than exile, and Friar Laurence steps in as the voice of reason. He highlights that exile preserves Romeo’s life, and keeps a path open for the lovers to be together again in the future. In this scene, banishment is presented as a merciful alternative to immediate death because it gives Romeo a chance to reform and continue living, rather than dying right away. The other characters are more focused on immediate comfort or emotion in that moment, while Friar Laurence speaks to the bigger picture: life, hope, and the possibility of reconciliation. That perspective is why this line is attributed to him.

The moment tests how mercy and practical thinking can trump harsh punishment. When Romeo learns he’s banished, he fears death more than exile, and Friar Laurence steps in as the voice of reason. He highlights that exile preserves Romeo’s life, and keeps a path open for the lovers to be together again in the future. In this scene, banishment is presented as a merciful alternative to immediate death because it gives Romeo a chance to reform and continue living, rather than dying right away.

The other characters are more focused on immediate comfort or emotion in that moment, while Friar Laurence speaks to the bigger picture: life, hope, and the possibility of reconciliation. That perspective is why this line is attributed to him.