The definition of foils, or cross purposes, is when a certain character uses words or actions to show traits about themselves. This is term takes any type of literature to a new depth, meaning that you can one character act a certain way, but when he’s put in a situation, we’ll see the gruesome change that we don’t want. This also enriches the flavor of the texts, because you create breaking points for the characters and how they react to certain situations. One person who excelled in this usage of foils was none other than William Shakespeare; and one of Shakespeare’s best uses of this type of writing was the Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet. He constantly had the characters interacting with each, which not only showed us, the audience, what the characters were like, but it also forces the characters to adapt to their current situation adjust how they are to get past it. Romeo and Juliet has been a classic example of this for its constant plot twists and sudden outbursts. Cross purposing leads to a type of climax in acts 3:1 and 3:2 when Romeo has returned from his marriage.
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This foil mainly focuses on Romeo and Tybalt. These two are from opposite families, but Romeo is quite passive, whereas Tybalt is very aggressive and was roaming for Romeo to begin with. The previous night at the party, Romeo came wearing a mask to find his previous love, Rosaline; but in the process of looking, Tybalt recognizes him and on his way down to challenge him, his uncle stops him. So the next day, when he finds Romeo with Mercutio, he starts to taunt and insult Romeo. Romeo, just marrying Juliet and becoming part Capulet, doesn’t want to create more bad blood. Mercutio can’t comprehend that he’s allowing Tybalt to insult him and he breaks and challenges Tybalt. Tybalt then draws his sword, but if we remember, Romeo is now related to Tybalt, so he interferes with the duel and holds Mercutio back, allowing Tybalt to land a killing blow. This is a foil, because it shows the Romeo is also a peace maker and tried to stop the fight. “Hold, Tybalt! Good Mercutio!” Romeo made this remark as he tried to stop the fight.” As it was mentioned in the last paragraph, a brobdingnagian foil in the beginning of act three was Romeo and Tybalt, but what about Mercutio and Tybalt? As Benvolio tries to convince Mercutio to steal away to somewhere else, Tybalt and two other Capulets arrive. They start to taunt each other and provoke a battle. This is also a foil, showing that each character is obnoxious and stuck-up. This only makes the two of them angrier till they are ready to draw sword and do battle in the middle of fair Verona, against the prince’s law. Right before this, however, Romeo shows up and notices their rally of insults. He tries to calm the matters and set the two on their own ways. This infuriates Mercutio, because Romeo just takes and accepts the insults from Tybalt. Mercutio is the first to draw his sword and advance Tybalt, but Tybalt is more than happy to fight a Montague. This is a critical foil that speaks volumes of both these characters. “…make it a word and a blow.” This action shows they are both very
This foil mainly focuses on Romeo and Tybalt. These two are from opposite families, but Romeo is quite passive, whereas Tybalt is very aggressive and was roaming for Romeo to begin with. The previous night at the party, Romeo came wearing a mask to find his previous love, Rosaline; but in the process of looking, Tybalt recognizes him and on his way down to challenge him, his uncle stops him. So the next day, when he finds Romeo with Mercutio, he starts to taunt and insult Romeo. Romeo, just marrying Juliet and becoming part Capulet, doesn’t want to create more bad blood. Mercutio can’t comprehend that he’s allowing Tybalt to insult him and he breaks and challenges Tybalt. Tybalt then draws his sword, but if we remember, Romeo is now related to Tybalt, so he interferes with the duel and holds Mercutio back, allowing Tybalt to land a killing blow. This is a foil, because it shows the Romeo is also a peace maker and tried to stop the fight. “Hold, Tybalt! Good Mercutio!” Romeo made this remark as he tried to stop the fight.” As it was mentioned in the last paragraph, a brobdingnagian foil in the beginning of act three was Romeo and Tybalt, but what about Mercutio and Tybalt? As Benvolio tries to convince Mercutio to steal away to somewhere else, Tybalt and two other Capulets arrive. They start to taunt each other and provoke a battle. This is also a foil, showing that each character is obnoxious and stuck-up. This only makes the two of them angrier till they are ready to draw sword and do battle in the middle of fair Verona, against the prince’s law. Right before this, however, Romeo shows up and notices their rally of insults. He tries to calm the matters and set the two on their own ways. This infuriates Mercutio, because Romeo just takes and accepts the insults from Tybalt. Mercutio is the first to draw his sword and advance Tybalt, but Tybalt is more than happy to fight a Montague. This is a critical foil that speaks volumes of both these characters. “…make it a word and a blow.” This action shows they are both very