Preview

Examples Of Foil Characters In Romeo And Juliet

Good Essays
Open Document
Open Document
880 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
Examples Of Foil Characters In Romeo And Juliet
A foil character is one who enhances unique characteristics of another character. This is accomplished by a strong contrast between the two characters. The famous play writer, William Shakespeare uses numerous foil characters throughout his plays. One of these famous plays is Romeo and Juliet. This play has many foil characters which magnify qualities in other characters. Specifically Romeo, who is the main character of the play and has three main foil characters. Each one of these characters brings out a specific quality in Romeo 's character.

With his belief in loveless love, physical attraction, and no romantic actions, Mercutio brings out passionate love, emotional attraction, and romantic actions in Romeo 's character. First, Mercutio …show more content…
Unlike Mercutio and Tybalt, Benvolio extracts Romeo 's bad side. Although Romeo is peaceful, calm, and lawful, Benvolio proves Romeo is still capable of rage, anger, and ignores the law. He dose this by giving emphasis to Romeo 's bad characteristics through his extra peaceful, extra calm, and law obedient character. First, Benvolio accents Romeo 's rage through his extra peaceful character. For instance, Mercutio was an equal friend to Romeo as he was to Benvolio; Although, Benvolio did not fill with rage towards Tybalt, when he killed Mercutio, as Romeo did. By this Benvolio highlights Romeo 's rage with his extremely peaceful character. Likewise, Benvolio 's calm character brings out Romeo 's anger filled character. After killing Mercutio and disappearing, Tybalt comes back. In the time he was gone Romeo built up anger towards Tybalt. Upon seeing Tybalt he says: "Alive in triumph, and Mercutio slain! Away to heaven, respective lenity, And fire-ey 'd fury be my conduct now!"� (III, i, 122-4) This would be considered a normal reaction; however, Benvolio did not react so strongly. By this he magnifies Romeo 's anger. Finally, Benvolio 's lawful character amplifies Romeo 's law breaking character. An example of this is when Benvolio says: "We talk here in public haunt of men: Either with draw unto some private place, Or reason coldly of your grievances, Or else depart. Here all eyes gaze on us."� (III, i, 49-52) Benvolio remembers the prince 's words and warns that they should not fight in public. Even though he knows and was reminded of the new law, Romeo fights Tybalt anyway. Consequently Romeo 's action is magnified because Benvolio warned and obeyed the law. Hence, through his peaceful, calm, and lawful character, Benvolio magnifies rage, anger, and ignorance of law in Romeo 's
Continue Reading
View Writing Issues

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Good Essays

    Lord Capulet To Blame For The Death Of Romeo And Juliet
    • 387 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Lord Capulet To Blame For The Death Of Romeo And Juliet

    “You know where I live bring me my pen and paper and some horses’’,says Romeo (Act 5 ,scene 1).This quote shows how when Romeo found out the false new about Juliet and how he took it outta proportion.Another reason Romeo is to blame is because Romeo is the one who killed tyrant out of emotion he wouldn't be banned but still have a forbidden love for his father's enemies daughter Juliet. One of the many quotes I decided to use was when benvolio realized what Romeo had done. “Tybalts dead, and the officers are coming If they catch you. You'll be executed.(Act 3 Scene 1…

    • 387 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Don Pedro And Don John Foil
    • 292 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Don Pedro And Don John Foil

    A foil character is a character whose presence enhances the qualities of another character. A foil character isn’t that important but at the same time is very important because that character could be the cause of a dramatic ending. The play Much Ado About Nothing written by William Shakespeare, shows how misinformation led to a couple who were planning to get married ended up not going through with it. Don John and Don Pedro are two brothers but complete opposites of each other. Don John is a foil character to Don Pedro. Don John looked for any way to ruin Hero and Claudio’s wedding, while Don Pedro looked for any way to help Hero and Claudio get married.…

    • 292 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Extra Character Trait Benvolio
    • 180 Words
    • 1 Page

    Extra Character Trait Benvolio

    Benvolio’s final character trait is being a problem solver. During a major turning point in the play, Tybalt sends a letter to fight Romeo. Since Benvolio and Mercutio are talking in the open, Benvolio says, “I pray thee, good Mercutio, let’s retire. The day is hot; the Capulets, abroad; and if we meet we shall not ’scape a brawl, for now, these hot days, is the mad blood stirring” (III. i. 1-4). He says this to Mercutio because he does not want Mercutio get in a fight with a Capulet but Mercutio but he ends up not listening to Benvolio and ends up costing his life. After the Mercutio was slain by Tybalt and after Romeo killed Tybalt, Benvolio tells Romeo to "Romeo, away, begone! The citizens are up, and Tybalt slain. Stand not amazed.The Prince will doom the death If thou art taken. Hence, be gone, away"(III.i.134-137). He says this to Romeo because he is his cousin and if prince came and saw what Romeo did the prince would sentence Romeo to death.…

    • 180 Words
    • 1 Page
    Satisfactory Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Much Ado About Nothing Beatrice Character Foil
    • 596 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Much Ado About Nothing Beatrice Character Foil

    Character foils are when a character in a play or book bring out the characteristics of another character. Shakespeare uses this method of indirect characterization in many of his plays. In the play Much Ado About Nothing by William Shakespeare, Hero and Beatrice are character foils because they have opposite personality traits, they react differently to certain situations, and they express emotions in different ways.…

    • 596 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Powerful Essays

    Romeo and Juliet Literary Analysis (Archetypes)
    • 1158 Words
    • 5 Pages

    Romeo and Juliet Literary Analysis (Archetypes)

    Shakespeare’s famous tragedy Romeo and Juliet highlights the topics of loyalty, honor, and interests, and how a misinterpretation of them can lead to devastating results. Mercutio, Tybalt and Benvolio are all characters in Shakespeare’s play Romeo and Juliet. Of the three, Mercutio and Benvolio are good friends of Romeo, the protagonist. Tybalt is, however, from an opposing house, the Capulets, who have been feuding with Romeo’s house, the Montagues, for decades. While both Mercutio and Tybalt can be considered the competitor archetype, Benvolio acts as a foil through the peacekeeper, or mediator archetype. In this tragedy, Shakespeare uses the comparison of Mercutio, Tybalt, and Benvolio to prove that, though honor seems like a worthy cause to, the safety and interests of oneself and one’s loved ones must take first priority.…

    • 1158 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Powerful Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Foils Between Hamlet And Fortinbras
    • 693 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Foils Between Hamlet And Fortinbras

    Foils begin to comes into play during a work of literature when a secondary character is made similar to the main character to bring importance to the main character and his or her relationship with the secondary character. In Shakespeare's work: Hamlet, there are many foils including Fortinbras, Claudius, and Laertes. These characters have been created to make the audience understand how important Hamlet is in the story.…

    • 693 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Romeo And Juliet Innocent Quotes
    • 604 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Romeo And Juliet Innocent Quotes

    However, Benvolio was with Romeo when he killed Tybalt and encouraged Romeo to run away to escape the death penalty for killing a Capulet. Benvolio says, “Romeo, away, be gone!/The citizens are up, and Tybalt slain/Stand not amazed./The Prince will doom thee death/ If thou art taken. Hence, be gone, away!” (III.I.125-128). If Romeo had stayed he might have been executed, leaving Juliet in sorrow, but alive along with Paris. Benvolio was no innocent bystander because he tried to protect Romeo, but really initiated the events that led to his death.…

    • 604 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    romeo and mercutio
    • 446 Words
    • 2 Pages

    romeo and mercutio

    When Romeo sees Juliet, he realizes just how impractical his love for Rosaline was. Mercutio on the other hand, is witty and anti-romantic. He sees love as only physical, like the nurse. The way that he pursues love,highly contrasts with Romeo’s idea of romance. In Act I, Scene 4, when Romeo describes his love for Rosaline using the image of love as a rose with thorns, Mercutio mocks him by saying…

    • 446 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Romeo and Juliet
    • 601 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Romeo and Juliet

    Shakespeare uses Mercutio as a foil to Romeo. They are alike in many ways in the way that they talk and their conclusions. Their characters are lively and excessively dramatic in the way that they speak and act. Romeo and Mercutio also meet the same end, both because of Romeo. They also have numerous differences that show their behavioral and personality distinction. Mercutio has a way of thinking that is partially negative but more rational than Romeo's impatient, love-seeking mind. The comparison shows common sense [Mercutio] as opposed to impatient and impractical [Romeo]. They are similar and different at the same time but it helps us better understand Romeo as a character when we see him compared to Mercutio.…

    • 601 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    "Romeo and Juliet": Analysis for the long feud between house and Capulet and Montagule, who is more blameworthy of the feud?
    • 706 Words
    • 2 Pages

    "Romeo and Juliet": Analysis for the long feud between house and Capulet and Montagule, who is more blameworthy of the feud?

    In addition, Tybalt refuses to keep peace despite Benvolio who does not intend to fight. Consequently, Benvolio has no choice but to engage in combat with Tybalt. At the beginning of the play, Tybalt makes it clear that he is against peace and will fight anyone who stands in his way (Act 1, Scene 1, Line 68). Benvolio, on the other hand hesitated to fight and said, "I do but keep the peace." (Act 1, Scene 1, Line 67) In the end Tybalt calls him a coward and they fight. (Act 1, Scene 1, Line 70). Tybalt clearly has been fighting for his honor under Capulet's name.…

    • 706 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Powerful Essays

    Who Is Mercutio A Foil In Romeo And Juliet
    • 1094 Words
    • 5 Pages

    Who Is Mercutio A Foil In Romeo And Juliet

    Both are young and energetic, but Mercutio's energy is more potent, almost overwhelming. He is forever joking, an essentially happy character who can find humour in everything, including Romeo's misery:…

    • 1094 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Powerful Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Compare And Contrast Essay
    • 640 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Compare And Contrast Essay

    Benvolio and Tybalt are from different families that dislike each other due to their previous past. However, Benvolio and Tybalt both value family and care to aid their family members. Benvolio as well as Tybalt have different morals but in this situation they value the same thing. Benvolio said “part fools [drawing swords]put up your sword you knew not what you do.” (1.1.65-66) Benvolio was trying to keep peace amongst his fellow friends and keep his family members safe. Benvolio didn’t want Romeo getting hurt. Benvolio saved Romeo from the fight with Tybalt. Tybalt as should have done drew his sword when he ran into the opposing family (The Montagues). Tybalt was defending his family’s honour. “Boy this done me; therefore turn and draw.” (3.1.65). In this scene, Tybalt is showing that he doesn’t care about injuries he took upon death for the family. Tybalt was stating that his family was better than the Montagues. Tybalt and Benvolio have some similarities but they still have multiple differences.…

    • 640 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Romeo And Juliet Essay Love
    • 706 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Romeo And Juliet Essay Love

    Benvolio shows philios love toward Romeo to get over Rosaline. Benvolio says, “By giving liberty unto thine eyes, examine other beauties” (1,1,221). He is trying to be a good friend and help Romeo feel better and be caring to help him move on. This love is also shown when Romeo is livid about Mercutio’s death and wants revenge on Tybalt. Romeo stated this, “Staying for thine to keep him company, either thou or I, or both, must go with him” (3,1,24). Romeo feels awful about Mercutio’s death and feels his or Tybalt’s soul must go with Mercutio’s because of his friendly love for Mercutio. Friendship love is also shown in the Prince toward Romeo. Instead of putting Romeo to death, he banished him from Verona. Prince stated, “Let Romeo hence in haste. Else when heis found, that hour is his last” (3,1,190). The Prince is being generous and ignoring the law so Romeo doesn’t have to end his…

    • 706 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Romeo and Juliet
    • 705 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Romeo and Juliet

    Benvolio is the most innocent character in the play because he tries to keep the peace. He does not like to fight and likes to follow by the rules. During the street fight Benvolio asks Tybalt to help keep the peace with him. “I do but keep the peace. Put up thy sword, or manage to part these men with me.” (1.1.70-71). When Mercutio got in a fight with Tybalt, Benvolio tries his best to prevent it. He asks Mercutio to call it a day and go somewhere else since they might run into the Capulet men and start a fight. “I pray thee, good Mercutio, let’s retire. The day is hot, the Capulets, abroad: And if we meet we shall not’ scape a brawl, for now, these hot days, is the mad blood stirring.”(3.1.1-4). Obviously this proves that Benvolio does NOT like to fight and likes to follow by the Prince’s law. When the Capulet men come Benvolio then asks Mercutio to go to a private place or just leave the Capulets. “We talk here in the public haut of men; either withdraw unto some private place, and reason coldly of your grievances, or else depart. Here all eyes gaze on us.” (3.1.52-55). Clearly Benvolio likes to keep peace and therefore is an innocent character. He did not fight Tybalt back when he killed Mercutio, like Romeo did.…

    • 705 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Benvolio And Tybalt Foil
    • 389 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Benvolio And Tybalt Foil

    In the play Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare, Benvolio and Tybalt are considered a dramatic foil. Benvolio is a peacemaker. Tybalt is one who looks for fights. Tybalt and Benvolio are complete opposites. In the opening scene, Benvolio and Mercutio are out in the town when Tybalt approaches them. Benvolio tries to stop a fight to break out but draws his sword out of sheer protection as stated, “I do but keep the peace. Put up thy sword, or manage it to part these men with me.” (1.1.61-62). When Benvolio said this, Tybalt is fired and won't take no for an answer. “What, drawn, and talk of peace? I hate the word, as I hate hell, all Montagues, and thee. Have at thee, coward!” (1.1.63-65). In this certain instance, Benvolio wanted to keep…

    • 389 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More