What is a Foil in a Play

A literary foil is a character whose purpose is to accentuate or draw attention to the qualities of another character, most often the protagonist. This literary term is named after an old jewelry trick of setting a gem on a foil base to enhance its shine.

1. What is an example of foil in Romeo and Juliet?
2. Why does Shakespeare use foils?
3. How can you tell if a character is a foil?
4. What is a comic foil?
5. Who Is Romeo a foil for?
6. Who finally stops the fight between the Montagues and Capulets?
7. What does the perfect foil mean?
8. What is the difference between a foil and an antagonist?
9. What does foil mean in English?
10. How is Draco Malfoy a foil character?
11. Who is a foil character?
12. Who is a foil to Hamlet?

What is an example of foil in Romeo and Juliet?

The most famous foil character in Romeo and Juliet is Mercutio. Mercutio is considered a foil to Romeo. Mercutio is blood kin to both the Prince and to Count Paris. He is close friends with Benvolio and Romeo.

Why does Shakespeare use foils?

In Hamlet, Shakespeare uses foils to enhance the characters namely to enhance Hamlet. A foil is a minor character who with their similarities and differences reveals character traits, that of another character opposite to them. ... The two are introduced as friends to Hamlet. But also they are like messengers for the king.

How can you tell if a character is a foil?

A character that exhibits opposite or conflicting traits to another character is called a foil. Foil characters can be antagonists, but not always. Sometimes, foils will even be other characters alongside the protagonist.

What is a comic foil?

A Comic Foil is an actual character in the story. Their presence provides a comedic contrast to usually the main protagonists more serious (and heroic/villainous) persona.

Who Is Romeo a foil for?

Character Analysis Mercutio. Mercutio, the witty skeptic, is a foil for Romeo, the young Petrarchan lover. Mercutio mocks Romeo's vision of love and the poetic devices he uses to express his emotions: Romeo, Humors!

Who finally stops the fight between the Montagues and Capulets?

Montague and Capulet enter, and only their wives prevent them from attacking one another. Prince Escalus arrives and commands that the fighting stop, on penalty of torture.

What does the perfect foil mean?

someone or something that makes another's good or bad qualities all the more noticeable: The older, cynical character in the play is the perfect foil for the innocent William.

What is the difference between a foil and an antagonist?

Foils and antagonists are two types of characters that serve very different functions. An antagonist is a character who is in direct opposition to the protagonist. ... A foil exists simply to shine the spotlight on certain traits of another character, without necessarily creating opposition or conflict.

What does foil mean in English?

1a : to prevent from attaining an end : defeat always able to foil her enemies Her accident foiled her from becoming a dancer. b : to bring to naught : thwart foiled the plot Police foiled an attempted robbery. 2 obsolete : trample. foil. noun (1)

How is Draco Malfoy a foil character?

In the Harry Potter series, Draco Malfoy can be seen as a foil to the Harry Potter character; Professor Snape enables both characters "to experience the essential adventures of self-determination" but they make different choices; Harry chooses to oppose Lord Voldemort and the Death Eaters wholeheartedly, whereas Draco ...

Who is a foil character?

Foil characters are two characters that contrast to one another. In literature and film, a foil character will contrast from the story's protagonist. This contrast will highlight the hero's personality.

Who is a foil to Hamlet?

Shakespeare includes characters in Hamlet who are obvious foils for Hamlet, including, most obviously, Horatio, Fortinbras, Claudius, and Laertes.