FOIL
Jake Kranz
English I
Mrs. Davison
8 March, 2014
Complete Opposites A foil is not just something to wrap around. The foils that William Shakespeare refers to are when two characters are complete opposites of each other. In the play Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare, he displays a few examples of a foil. In the story that is told, the Montague family is at war and hates the Capulet family and the feeling is mutual. The families have been at war for generations and are constantly getting in arguments and fights. In stories foils help show characters’ personalities off of reflections of the other. To give an example of a foil, Tybalt and Benvolio is just one that Shakespeare shows. For instance Benvolio says, “Part fools! Put up your swords. You know not what you do” (I.i.66-67). He is often a very laid back person who does not like violence. On the other side ,Tybalt said, “What, drawn, and talk of peace? I hate the word as I hate hell, all Montagues and thee. Have thee a coward” (I.i.72-74). He wants to fight against Benvolio; he says he hates the word peace and he loves to fight. With Benvolio wanting peace and Tybalt wanting to fight him, this shows they are foils. Another example of a foil is, Romeo and Mercutio. In this love story Romeo is always sad and gloomy and putting other people down. On the other hand Mercutio is always cracking jokes and making fun of people. As an example, Mercutio says, “You are a lover. Borrow Cupid’s wings and soar with them above a common bound” (I.iv.17-18). He is telling Romeo he should make girls fall in love with him and make him happy again. But, typical Romeo replies with, “I am too sore enpierced with his shaft to soar with his light feathers, and so bound I cannot bound a pitch above dull woe. Under love’s heavy burden do I sink” (I.iv.19-23). Romeo tries to explain he is too sad and hurt to enjoy himself. So with Mercutio and Romeo meshing so well together even being foils is incredible.
English I
Mrs. Davison
8 March, 2014
Complete Opposites A foil is not just something to wrap around. The foils that William Shakespeare refers to are when two characters are complete opposites of each other. In the play Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare, he displays a few examples of a foil. In the story that is told, the Montague family is at war and hates the Capulet family and the feeling is mutual. The families have been at war for generations and are constantly getting in arguments and fights. In stories foils help show characters’ personalities off of reflections of the other. To give an example of a foil, Tybalt and Benvolio is just one that Shakespeare shows. For instance Benvolio says, “Part fools! Put up your swords. You know not what you do” (I.i.66-67). He is often a very laid back person who does not like violence. On the other side ,Tybalt said, “What, drawn, and talk of peace? I hate the word as I hate hell, all Montagues and thee. Have thee a coward” (I.i.72-74). He wants to fight against Benvolio; he says he hates the word peace and he loves to fight. With Benvolio wanting peace and Tybalt wanting to fight him, this shows they are foils. Another example of a foil is, Romeo and Mercutio. In this love story Romeo is always sad and gloomy and putting other people down. On the other hand Mercutio is always cracking jokes and making fun of people. As an example, Mercutio says, “You are a lover. Borrow Cupid’s wings and soar with them above a common bound” (I.iv.17-18). He is telling Romeo he should make girls fall in love with him and make him happy again. But, typical Romeo replies with, “I am too sore enpierced with his shaft to soar with his light feathers, and so bound I cannot bound a pitch above dull woe. Under love’s heavy burden do I sink” (I.iv.19-23). Romeo tries to explain he is too sad and hurt to enjoy himself. So with Mercutio and Romeo meshing so well together even being foils is incredible.