Learning more vocabulary, vividly imagining images, connecting to the story, and using more advanced words in the English language all came from the invention and help of literary devices. In the play Romeo and Juliet written by William Shakespeare, the foil technique is used multiple times between characters throughout the story. Used between more than two characters, the foil device can help determine a character 's personality, feelings, and opinions. The play takes place in the 14th century in Verona, Italy. In the story line, there are two families named the Montagues and the Capulets. These two families despise each other. The families have fought three times due to the hatred of …show more content…
Mercutio is a man who just loves having fun, being funny, and does not take love too seriously, but Romeo is the complete opposite. Romeo wants his life put together and is very serious, especially about love. He is also over dramatic. While Romeo has just broken the Prince’s demand of no fighting, he then goes to meet Friar Laurence at his cell to find out his punishment. Once Friar Laurence has told Romeo the his punishment for killing Tybalt is banishment Romeo replies with “For exile hath more terror in his look, much more than deah”(III.iii.13-14). By Romeo’s reaction to the light punishment shows how dramatic he is. Romeo does not want to leave Verona because he is in love with Juliet and serious about their relationship. If it were Mercutio in the situation, he would move on to another girl. At the Capulet’s household, Romeo is nervous to go into the party because his old lover is also at the party. Mercutio tries to persuade Romeo to mingle with other girls at the party. As he continues to persuade Romeo, Mercutio rambles “You are a lover. Borrow Cupid’s wings and soar with them above a common bound”(I.iv.17-18). By Mercutio saying this it shows that he thinks being in love means nothing. This opinion by Mercutio proves he has a lack of interest in love and does not think it is an important emotion to focus on. Mercutio is a carefree guy that accentuates Romeo’s seriousness and loving nature which helps understand the importance of love throughout the story. Romeo is a serious man which accentuates Mercutio by making him have the fun and wild living characteristic. By Shakespeare’s use of the foil technique between the two character, it shows how the different personalities develop and later explain the character’s