Foil Characters In Romeo And Juliet

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This lesson is a brief look at four notable foil characters in ''Romeo and Juliet''. Read through the lesson, then test your learning with a brief quiz!
!!!What is a Foil Character?

A __foil character__ is one which has traits that are opposite of another character. Being melancholy to the other's happiness, for example, or extroverted to the other's introverted nature. Foil characters are sometimes used as comic relief, especially in tragedies.

!!!Foil Characters in ''Romeo and Juliet''

The first foil character that appears in ''Romeo and Juliet'' never actually appears at all. She is mentioned, talked about, and bemoaned, but never sets foot on stage. Rosaline, the girl Romeo is in love with before he sees Juliet, is a foil for Juliet's character. Rosaline is aloof, quiet, and sworn off marriage and pleasures of the flesh.
Tybalt is ~'king of cats~', quick to anger and act without thought, prone to act fast and violently if he feels insulted or dishonored. Benvolio is called a peacemaker (even his name is from the root of ~'benevolent~' or kind), and tries many times to soothe frayed tempers and hurt feelings. Benvolio is also asked by Romeo's parents to keep an eye on Romeo, and he is the one the Prince approaches to get to the bottom of the street fight between Romeo's friends and Capulet's supporters. Tybalt is the opposite in character, being unfriendly and self-serving.

The most famous foil character in ''Romeo and Juliet'' is Mercutio. He is known for his sharp wit and quick, often ribald, humor and is considered a foil to Romeo. He lacks Romeo's effusive romance, his adoration and almost courtly approach to the idea of love. He often urges Romeo to just find a woman to sleep with and stop worrying about the ephemeral, yet all consuming, love Romeo is desperate to achieve. Mercutio warns Romeo to be skeptical of love and not to rush ahead, but Romeo is all rush, no

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