In Act II, Scene 3, Friar Laurence describes a relationship between good and evil and man and herbs in his soliloquy. The first reference is: "The earth that's nature's mother is her tomb, What is her burying grave, that is her womb." This says that even though we are placed in the earth when we die, it also brings life through the plants that it produces.
The next reference is, "O, mickle is the powerful grace that lies in plants, herbs, stones, and their true qualities; For naught so vile that on the earth doth live But to the earth some special good doth give." The Friar says that there isn't anything from the earth that is only evil; it also brings good.
The third reference is: "Within the infant rind of this flower Poison hath residence, and medicine power; For this, being smelt, with that part cheers each part; Being tasted, slays all senses with the heart. The Friar says if you smell the plant it can improve your health, but eating the flower will cause uncertain death.
Friar Laurence says that if you smell the herb it can improve your health, but if you eat the plant it will cause uncertain death. This goes to prove that there is good and evil in everyone and everything. It foreshadows the events to come.
Reference: The Language and Literature Book by McDougal Littel
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