Literary Analysis Essay on Foil Characters in Romeo and Juliet

Introduction

The foil character contrasts with the personality of another character. This enlightens particular characteristics. These characteristics are clearly displayed in this element, which is beneficial to the reader or audience. It highlights the traits of one and increases the character traits of the others, creating a foil illustration. This element of literature is more important than in Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet. He effectively uses foil characters. The play depicts two lovers from hateful, opposing families falling in love. However, their downfall is caused by the hatred among the households. The characters in Verona's immoral city are intended to be key themes and elements of tragedy. This is illustrated by the strong use foil characters. The foil representations of Mercutio and Tybalt and both households highlight and distinguish Romeo's strengths in Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet.

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Mercutio, Romeo's foil character, is Mercutio. His realistic outlook amplifies Romeo’s romantic and dreamy thinking. Mercutio increases Romeo's idealistic mentality by denying true love. Mercutio ridicules Romeo's love for Rosaline and says that love is not possible. Mercutio demonstrates this when he says, "If you love is rough with me, be rough about love." You can prick love for pricking, and love will be defeated." (Shakespeare 1.4, 27-28). This quote highlights Romeo’s childish thinking and Mercutio’s bitter attitude to love.

Romeo feels lost and depressed, while Mercutio sees the unneeded gloominess Romeo has brought upon himself. Mercutio is a great foil because his maturity and knowledge contrasts with Romeo’s innocence. Second, Mercutio’s death highlights Romeo’s rashness and his impulsive mentality. This foreshadows more disaster in the play. Mercutio's unthinking and impetuous actions, for example, are the reason for his death.

Mercutio curses "A plague of both your houses!" They have made worms eat of me" (3.1, 68–69). This quote shows that Mercutio, despite not being a Montague or a Capulet, still dies in a fight between the families. Romeo's fatal flaw is magnified by this incident. His reckless act of heroism caused Mercutio's death. Mercutio's affront to the families is also a sign of tragedy. Romeo is then exiled from Verona and other events lead to Romeo's death. Mercutio, even after his demise, acts as a foil to Romeo, causing a change in Romeo's gentle nature. Romeo kills Tybalt to avenge his friend Mercutio after Tybalt has killed Mercutio.

His alteration in character is evident in this act, since he was never seen in any of his previous scenes as a ferocious person. Romeo's statement, "Away from Heaven, respective lenity and fire-eyed fury, be my conduct now" (3.1, 125–126). Romeo's new perspective is evident in this quote, where he says he has lost sympathy and gentleness. This is a significant change in Romeo's personality because he not only plans to attack Tybalt but also to kill him. He then becomes a murderer. This is important because it leads to his exile, which ultimately leads to his death. Mercutio, another important foil character towards Romeo, highlights the transition in Romeo's persona.

Tybalt is a key foil character, as his actions eventually mark a change in Romeo's character. Romeo reacts to Tybalt's murder of Mercutio by killing Tybalt. Romeo kills Tybalt to avenge Mercutio's death. Romeo explains this by saying, "That late Romeo gavest me Mercutio’s soul is just a little bit above our heads, remaining for thine to keep his company." "Either thou, me, or both must go along with him," (3.1.88-91).

This quote shows that Romeo is now violent and willing to kill his best friend's murderer. It would seem surprising from the scenes in the play. Romeo's impulsive behavior also leads him to kill Tybalt, Prince of Cats, one of Verona's most feared fighters. This would be a major change in Romeo’s personality. Romeo's infidelities towards the Montagues are further heightened by Tybalt's loyalty to the Capulet families. Tybalt, for example, urges Romeo to be killed at the Capulet ball in the name the Capulets, as he is a Montague.

Lord Capulet is made aware of this when Tybalt tells Lord Capulet, "by [Romeo]'s] voice [he] is] a Montague. Fetch me my rapier, boy. "What dares the slave come to her ...[Romeo] [is] a foe [and] villain, that has come in spite," 1.5, 55-57, and 63-64. This quote shows Tybalt's hatred for the Montagues. He considers Romeo an enemy because he is a Montague. He also calls Romeo a slave and shows complete disrespect for him. Tybalt's disgust at Romeo and his Montagues family is evident in his love for Juliet, a Capulet.

Tybalt's violent personality trait makes Romeo's sensitive nature stronger. This is apparent when Tybalt rejects Romeo's offer of peace. This is more evident than when they meet, Romeo insisting that Tybalt has no intention of hurting Romeo, but Romeo loves Romeo better than any plan he can. (3.1, 65-69). Romeo is portrayed as a calm character in this quote. He does not mean any harm to Tybalt, who then demands Romeo "Turn [his sword]]." (3.1, 68). This shows Tybalt's aggressive nature. He seems to inflict cruel and vicious actions even when peace is offered.

Due to Tybalt's violent response, this demonstrates Romeo's serenity. Romeo, the son of a Montague family, seems to be against the family feud. However, Tybalt and the other family members seem to create the fight and act as foils towards Romeo. Romeo is aided by the families as foils. They increase his interest in the feud. Romeo does not want to be part of their feud, but both families would like it to continue. Romeo, for example, understands that he must treat Juliet's Capulet family like his own after he marries her. However, Tybalt and other individuals seem to be unwilling to take part in the resolution of the conflict. This is evident when Romeo tells Tybalt that he "[he] [tenders] the] [name] Capulet [as dearly] his own" (3.1, 72-73).

This quote describes Romeo's willingness to accept the Capulets, even though they are sworn enemies. Tybalt then attacks Mercutio & Romeo. Tybalt's violent response to Romeo's kindness overthrows Romeo, thereby increasing Romeo's consent. Romeo doesn't seem to desire wealth and abundance, but his families do. Romeo believes that money is the root of all his problems, which implies that it is responsible for the family feud. Romeo tells his Apothecary that "[your]] [money doing more murder in the loathsome universe than [poison] thou mayst sell" (5.1, 81-22). Romeo is aware of how ironic it seems that money creates more problems than actual poison.

The money and the dispute among the families would have prevented tragic events like Romeo's banishment. The feud also caused the deaths of Tybalt, Juliet, and Mercutio. Romeo finds these families to be a useful foil, since they stress Romeo's understanding of wealth problems while their own lives are dominated by it. The ignorance of the Capulet family towards Juliet enhances Romeo's love and devotion to her. Lady Capulet, for example, is not able to maintain a healthy relationship with her daughter and is incapable of understanding Juliet's difficulties. Lady Capulet explains this by saying, "Talk not, for I won't speak a single word." Do what thou willst, for this I have done with you" (3.5, 204–205).

This quote shows that Juliet's mother isn't caring for her. Lady Capulet is not going to support her daughter when Lord Capulet sets the date for his daughters' wedding to a man she doesn't love. Romeo is fond of Juliet, even though she isn't receiving the love she deserves from her family. The families are great foils to Romeo because they can highlight his personality traits. Summary: In Shakespeare's Romeo & Juliet, Mercutio and Tybalt and both households serve as foils to Romeo by brightening his strengths.

Conclusion

Mercutio's pragmatic outlook amplifies Romeo’s romantic and dreamy thinking. Tybalt, however, marks a change in Romeo. Both families also reinforce Romeo's indifference to feud. These individuals contrast Romeo to revive his main persona. They embrace the role he plays in the play. It is possible to wonder how Romeo's character would be affected if Shakespeare added more characters or removed some of the three mentioned...