Why does the Friars motive for marrying Romeo and Juliet produce a feeling of irony?
Friar Laurence's motive for marrying Romeo and Juliet is to end the long-running feud between their families, the Montagues and the Capulets. However, his actions ultimately have the opposite effect and the couple's marriage sets off a chain of events directly leading to their tragic end. This disparity between the Friar's intentions and their actual consequences creates a sense of irony.
This is a prime example of situational irony, where there's a contrast between what's expected and what actually occurs. The audience witnesses Friar Laurence's plan of using the wedding as a means for reconciliation but observes how it instead ignites a chain of unfortunate circumstances. The Friar's genuine desire for peace and harmony stands in stark contrast to the tragic consequences of his actions.