Romeo’s True Character
Foils in literature are characters that contrast another character, in most cases the protagonist, in order to highlight specific qualities of the other character. Additionally, they can be used to show the readers how things could have been different if the protagonist continued on another path. In William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, Shakespeare utilizes many foils for protagonist Romeo Montague, such as Paris, Mercutio, and Tybalt. Throughout the play, these characters accentuate and reveal Romeo’s true character and shows the audience how things could have gone differently for him, if only he made different choices.
Paris is a young nobleman related to the Prince and depicts the personalities the Capulets want in a family ally and spouse for their …show more content…
He is referred to as a “Prince of Cats” (2.4.19) by Mercutio and his violent ways and hatred towards the Montagues is shown when he says, “Peace! I hate the word/As I hate hell, [and] all Montagues” (1.1.68-69). Although Romeo is in the middle of a family feud throughout the play, he is not interested in violence. He represents love while Tybalt represents hate. But when Tybalt kills Mercutio, an ill-tempered and violent side to Romeo is shown displaying how Romeo’s interaction with Tybalt reveals Romeo’s true character. However, by letting hate overrule his personality, Romeo ends up killing Tybalt which results in his banishment from Verona, reaching the climax of Romeo and Juliet. Here, Shakespeare discreetly shows the audience what happens if Romeo acts more like his foil, Tybalt.
Shakespeare cleverly uses and manipulates foils like Paris, Mercutio, and Tybalt to highlight, establish, evolve and reveal his central character, in this case, Romeo’s true traits. All of the foils played a big part in the outcome of the play, even if they were only shown for brief amounts of
Foils in literature are characters that contrast another character, in most cases the protagonist, in order to highlight specific qualities of the other character. Additionally, they can be used to show the readers how things could have been different if the protagonist continued on another path. In William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, Shakespeare utilizes many foils for protagonist Romeo Montague, such as Paris, Mercutio, and Tybalt. Throughout the play, these characters accentuate and reveal Romeo’s true character and shows the audience how things could have gone differently for him, if only he made different choices.
Paris is a young nobleman related to the Prince and depicts the personalities the Capulets want in a family ally and spouse for their …show more content…
He is referred to as a “Prince of Cats” (2.4.19) by Mercutio and his violent ways and hatred towards the Montagues is shown when he says, “Peace! I hate the word/As I hate hell, [and] all Montagues” (1.1.68-69). Although Romeo is in the middle of a family feud throughout the play, he is not interested in violence. He represents love while Tybalt represents hate. But when Tybalt kills Mercutio, an ill-tempered and violent side to Romeo is shown displaying how Romeo’s interaction with Tybalt reveals Romeo’s true character. However, by letting hate overrule his personality, Romeo ends up killing Tybalt which results in his banishment from Verona, reaching the climax of Romeo and Juliet. Here, Shakespeare discreetly shows the audience what happens if Romeo acts more like his foil, Tybalt.
Shakespeare cleverly uses and manipulates foils like Paris, Mercutio, and Tybalt to highlight, establish, evolve and reveal his central character, in this case, Romeo’s true traits. All of the foils played a big part in the outcome of the play, even if they were only shown for brief amounts of