Foil

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…

Willy Loman surrounds himself with many foils, all of whom motivate him unintentionally to take his own life. The ways foils influence daily lives are brought forward in the play as Miller skillfully creates a realistic situation where foils have a negative impact on the individual. Charley is one of Willy’s greatest foils, a man who is everything that Willy has not become. Though Will acts down on Charley multiple times and treats…

The Development of Marie as a Foil in Camus’ The Stranger In The Stranger, Albert Camus utilizes stylistic and structural elements in order to portray the character of Meursault as exemplifying absurd philosophical ideas and behavior. Many of the minor characters in the novel have storylines that simply serve to emphasize such traits in the novel. The most prominent example of this is the use of Meursault’s reconnection and subsequent romance with a former typist in his office, Marie Cardona.…

In Hamlet, William Shakespeare uses foil characters to highlight young Hamlet’s inaction and procrastination in avenging his father. Shakespeare ultimately leads us to believe that in order for action to be worthwhile, it must be both immediate and righteous—one or the other won’t suffice. Early in the play, it becomes apparent that Laertes is a foil character for Hamlet. Laertes and Hamlet are spied on by Polonius and Claudius, respectively, and both seek revenge for the death of their fathers…

Foils in literature are characters who are used as parallels and contrasts with another character in order to highlight particular qualities of the other character. In the play “Hamlet” by William Shakespeare, while almost every character is a foil to Hamlet, one especially stands among the crowd- Laertes. Hamlet and Laertes are placed in very similar situations throughout the course of the play. Hamlet’s father was murdered and felt duty-bound to seek revenge the same way Laertes’s father was…

In Romeo and Juliet, Lady Capulet and the Nurse are a great example of a foil relationship between two people. Shakespeare makes Lady Capulet and the Nurse foils by his use of different syntax and diction between the two. Throughout the entire passage, Lady Capulet is shown using long and winding sentences. Lines 17-32 are entirely Lady Capulet describing a future love that could happen between Juliet and Paris. Lady Capulet says that Juliet needs to “examine every married lineament” and “see…

It is easy to pick out a main character, supporting characters, or even minor characters. However, foil characters are a little less noticeable. In the common play, Romeo and Juliet, there is a number of foil characters to be picked out. The definition of a foil character is “a character that shows qualities that are in contrast with the qualities of another character” (Literary Devices). Although foil characters are more challenging to observe, they make up more of the story than imagined. When…

Do balloons actually bring joy to millions? Some people believe that foil balloons should be banned and it is causing a controversy. This controversy was discussed in the video, “California Aims to Ban Metallic Balloons to Reduce Power Outages,” and the two articles “Balloons Bring Joy to Millions,” by Theo Lewis, and the article “Parties can be fun without balloons,” by Natalie Romero. While the author's present their argument to the same audience they used different rhetorical devices to…

It is a common occurrence in novels for a leading character to be given a “foil” character. This character is one who is not necessarily a main character, but still important, and provides contrast to a/the main character in a way that heightens and highlights that character 's characteristics, in the way that we can say that day defines night and vice versa. In Emily Bronte 's Wuthering Heights, this contrast between characters clearly takes place between the book 's central character,…

In the Shakespearean play, Hamlet, the theme of revenge revolves around the story. The play is difficult to understand without the knowledge of the use of foils. In literature, a foil is another character in a story who contrasts with the main character to highlight one of their attributes. Two characters that shares similarities and differences with Hamlet are Fortinbras and Laertes. Hamlet faces a tough decision when he learns King Claudius kills his father. Should he avenge his father’s death…