foil english literature

foil english literature

The Use of Foil Characters in English Literature

1. Introduction to Foil Characters

They commonly have contrasting passions, beliefs, and dispositions. They may either be larger-than-life characters or just locals who oppose one another. The concept of the foil is also widely used to compare two or more objects. The Lord of the Rings has three examples of this: Faramir is Gollum’s foil; Gollum, on the other hand, acts as a foil to Bilbo Baggins and also to Samwise Gamgee, while being Sauron’s double. These characters are sometimes placed near each other in order to stress the differences between them.

In fiction, a foil character is somebody who contrasts with another character in order to highlight particular qualities and traits of the other character. A foil character may be based on anything, such as relationships. Sometimes they are physically ideal or beautiful and good-hearted people who serve as agents of evil. Foil characters are usually characters who are quite opposite, some may have physical differences, others may have characteristics that differ from their opponent. Foil characters are used to showcase the opposing character’s qualities, but also increase their own more distinct characteristics. This showdown paves the way for a greater insight into the different aspects of their characters.

2. The Function and Purpose of Foil Characters

Another function of a foil character is to act as the conscience of a central character. This can be achievable, for example, by a minor character skilled in art or memory. In his book, David Van Leer outlines the functions of a foil character in a unique way: “First, the notion of double suggests the foil’s ancient relationship with the theme of dual identity, with the frequent motif of a central character’s double as a political personification or allegory (Julius Caesar, Dr. Jekyll, Frankenstein, the Scarlet Pimpernel). Second, the motif of simultaneous love and hatred and double desire finds frequent expression in darker or more complicated character structures: the hostile or repressed double in split personalities or amoral or immoral siblings (Tyler Durden, Frankenstein’s monster, Anna Karenina, Dorian Gray). Third, the foil seems implicitly critical of the antimonies that it articulates. In being projected as its hero’s dupe or shadow, the foil raises the ethical-cultural question and pictures it as dualism or duplicity.”

A ‘foil character’ is a character who contrasts with another character in order to highlight particular qualities or features which are present in the other character. This second character serves to highlight or represent these attributes of the other character, and, through this contrast, emphasize or deepen these prominent qualities of the other character. By having such contrasts in fabula and text features, the author presents depth and realism that may not otherwise be achievable. The most general use of the foil character is to contrast with the protagonist of a story, in order to highlight particular qualities of the protagonist. A foil character is a minor character whose situation or actions parallel those of a major character, and thus by contrast we reveal characteristics of the other characters.

3. Notable Examples of Foil Characters in English Literature

2. Friar Lawrence is a cynical foil to Romeo’s character in the play Romeo and Juliet. The Friar achieves peace in an obviously misunderstanding community and tries to restore order in a society where fathers and sons are at each other’s throats. He also helps nurse Juliet even though she is married to Romeo. Romeo is so weak and impressionable that he does not listen to what he obviously knows to be right. Even after hearing Romeo implore Juliet several times, begging her to forget her concerns about it being just past midnight and take the potion, yet she does not and instead chooses to kill herself. This makes us admire the Friar, who is constantly trying to repair order. We also see the Friar as a realist, for in expressing his opinion that the rage that comes of sorrow over his marriage, Romeo will realize the absurdity in his love and forget Juliet, we see that he understands the ridiculousness of Romeo’s love. Therefore, the Friar is the contrast of Romeo, as he knows, and Romeo does not, that the two’s love represents a love based only on impulse and lust.

1. Dr. Watson and Sherlock Holmes: A famous foil character in English literature is Dr. Watson in Sherlock Holmes stories. Watson is the perfect foil of Sherlock Holmes, who is brilliant and complete in himself. On the contrary, Dr. Watson has very limited capabilities; he can’t solve criminal cases and depends upon his friend. Watson’s acts of stupidity make Sherlock Holmes’ detective skills shine more, without which, Sherlock Holmes would not be of much importance. In this case, Dr. Watson acts as the help, who drives forward a story or performance by his skill of inadequacy.

4. The Impact of Foil Characters on Plot and Character Development

Foil characters serve several goals in English literature. Beyond this, their interaction with each other influences not only the plot but also the development of the characters that they represent, frequently by emphasizing the traits of one of them and hiding those of the other, then by modifying one or both of them in a coherent, sometimes logical, sometimes unpredictable manner until the characters and their differences mesh neatly together. These intricate changes are often central to the lessons that the author wants us to learn or the debatable issues that he or she wishes us to consider.

One major purpose of the use of foil characters, who by definition differ strongly from each other, is to draw attention to the contained balance, symmetry, and change that form the basis of our personal intuition about ourselves, the characters, and the plot progression in the story. It is often only by comparison and contrast that we can evaluate a character’s complexity and appreciate the depth of characterization. Foils help us to see a character as a whole person, rather than just one of a number of possible images or partial views. They create an aesthetic and minimally complete artistic object. Otherwise, it is easy for us to rely on stereotypes and make less-than-perfect judgments, just as we often do in real life. Writers of literature have since ancient times capitalized on this interplay of contrasts to enhance characterization and plot, and we can analyze the story and predict the plot only partially meaningfully without considering the impacts.

5. Conclusion and Future Trends in the Use of Foil Characters

In the future, the use of foil characters in English literature could interpret this unique angle and show that aesthetic standards serve a more significant purpose than just viewing fiction as fiction.

In literature, foils serve two functions. Firstly, they strengthen, deepen, and develop the moral qualities and artistic appeal of the main characters. Secondly, they expose the motives and thoughts of the main characters, revealing that people’s favorite characters possess both good and evil aspects or lack a common aesthetic standard. Shakespeare’s works are a great example of how foils can enhance the moral qualities and artistic appeal of the main characters.

In English literature, authors use minor characters to show and develop the main characters. These minor characters, known as foils, serve as complements to the main character, highlighting their characteristics. This article focuses on the two functions of foil characters, which have not been previously reported. We believe that these functions can help us understand philosophical and human nature phenomena.