In almost every tale one reads it is evident that there is a good character and a bad character, a protagonist and an antagonist, a hero and his villain. In every tale one can see a character with outstanding characteristics and one with not so good intentions. In the tales of Beowulf, the Pardoner’s Tale and Hamlet one can see characters like these. Each of these tales has characters that foils to each other. In literature, a foil is said to be a character that contrasts another character in order to highlight particular qualities of that other character. In the tale of Beowulf, Unferth is a foil to Beowulf, in the Pardoner’s Tale, the old man is a foil to the three rioters and in Hamlet, and Fortinbras is a foil to Hamlet. Each of these foils will help show a quality that the main characters either lack or have above other characters.
In the tale of Beowulf, one can see that Unferth is a foil to Beowulf. Unferth is a warrior in the tribe of the Spear-Danes but even though he is called a warrior he does not exhibit warrior like qualities. Unferth is dishonorable, prideful and full of resentment. Unferth quickly shows his non-warrior like qualities when Beowulf is accepted by the King. Unferth begins to question Beowulf about his heroic deeds when the author states “From where he crouched at the king’s feet, Unferth, a son of Ecglaf’s, spoke contrary words.” (Beowulf 123) and downplays them to make it seem as though Beowulf is not truly the hero he says he is when he says “Are you the Beowulf who took on Breca in a swimming match on the open sea, risking the water just to prove that you could win?” (Beowulf 123) Unlike Unferth Beowulf is a man of honor and courage. The greatness of his courage can be seen when he tel...
... middle of paper ...
... is important to the tale because it shows the reader that not always is the protagonist the one that’s right, or heroic or brave. This foils role was to show the qualities that Hamlet was missing in order for him to become a great person.
Each set of foils play an important part in each tale. Unther brings out Beowulf’s most heroic characteristics, the old man shows the foulness and greed that truly lies in man, and Fortinbras exposes Hamlet’s wrong intentions and inability to act. The foils help the reader see things that the protagonist has that others don’t or that the protagonist might lack that other do have. Whether the foil is used to bring out the good or the bad of a specific character they are there to help the reader really understand the characters and to see how certain characteristics are important to changing to rearrange the events in a story.
Let’s begin by talking about how Shakespeare uses other characters in the play as foils to Hamlet’s character. There are three distinct characters that are used as...
If you have the Harry Potter series, or almost any other story you have been introduced to this literary device that instantly makes your story attention-grabbing, and page-turning. This writing tool is known as a character foil. A character foil is a character that displays contrary, or opposite character traits. An example of a character foil is Draco Malfoy, and Harry Potter. Their rival relationship and other conflicts are the perfect example to showcase foils at work. To continue, in the iconic “Romeo and Juliet” written by William Shakespeare, there are two known character foils in the first Act: Benvolio and Tybalt, and the Nurse and Lady Capulet.
Beowulf is a classic hero in Beowulf for he fits the epitomized romantic mold so perfectly. His appearance is that of a hero, he is large, muscular, and intimidating. His intentions are also in the right place, he wishes to free Hrothgar’s people from the evil that is Grendel. He is a mature man, one who in the face of belittlement responds respectably and effectively. “Then up spoke Unferth…”Are you that Beowulf who with Breca swam on the broad sea-swell struggling together proud wave-wrestlers wagering your lives with reckless boasting risking for praise deep water-death?...” Beowulf answered…”and you were never known for such deeds nothing to brag of renowned as you are for killing your brothers…” (p.17-18 Beowulf) Beowulf doesn’t put Unferth down; rather he reminds him that he has no place to talk of heroic deeds and moves on.
Atticus Finch and Aunt Alexander is an example of a character foil in the book.
Foils are used in plays so that the readers are better able to understand the major character (Hamlet). In a foil, the minor character is similar in many ways to the main character so that we will compare the two. However, it is through these similarities that we are able to see the more important differences between the two.
The Tempest, is a timeless play about Prospero getting justice by having his throne back. William Shakespeare uses various dramatic elements to help readers deepen their understanding of the text in the play. The archetype critical theory can be used when reading Act 1, Scene 2 of The Tempest, for enhancing the reader’s understanding of the play. The archetype critical theory is patterns that are universal and have been applied to literature. These archetypes are present in the symbols, imagery, allusions, and dramatic irony of the scene.
In “Saving Sourdi” by May-Lee Chai, the author uses foil characters in the relationship of two sisters, Nea and Sourdi. Their contrasting personalities are at the center of the plot. In fictional stories, “The main purpose of a character foil is to highlights the opposite traits of the main character”(Development of Characters). The foil character is Sourdi, her personality traits are opposite of the main character, Nea. The contrast allows Nea, the protagonist, to stand out more distinctly. The author shows the reader that Nea is headstrong, impulsive, and immature. In contrast, Sourdi is more laid back and mature. Examples of the foil are evident throughout the passage. In the scene where Nea stabs a man in the arm for tormenting her sister, her Ma states to Nea,“You not thinking. That your problem. You always not thinking!” (Meyer pg. 83) Nea wanted to protect her sister, but Nea does not think of the consequences for stabbing the man. In contrast, Sourdi always thinks of consequences. Sourdi's response to Nea, “They could take you away. The police, they
Beowulf is very prideful. He boasts about his tasks as often as he can. He likes to showboat his heroism and bravery. When Unferth challenges Beowulf’s honor and calls him a liar and a loser, Beowulf does not take it well. He calls Unferth a liar and a murderer and immediately tells Hrothgar’s court what really happened during the swimming match that Unferth was referring to. Beowulf is driven by his need to be an honorable and well-respected man. The honor he seeks is not wholly for his King’s glory, but for himself.
Hamlet none other than the underlying thought of doubt, shape the play and its characters in such a dramatic way. In fact the plays main questions and events all come about due to some doubt and uncertainty from any multitude of characters. Although a common theme for many no other one character portrays this literary theme and crippling condition then the stories main focus and protagonist, prince Hamlet. Hamlet struggles with believing the evidence brought to him of his fathers death, and goes through much indecision and pondering about life, death and his future endeavors before he eventually fufils his purpose. Hamlet even after he’s chosen his path is crippled by his chronic indecision and failure to act, and in the end is brought down by it. Through Hamlet we are clearly shown that doubt and thought have there place, but too much can and in hamlets becomes his downfall.
According to John Steinbeck, "Heroes are innocent; villains are cunning." This statement likely regards the internal aspects of characters, such as intellect, reasoning/motivation, and morality/responsibility, as indicated by consistency in action and/or articulation, as in direct speech or soliloquy. An examination of the heroes and villains in Measure for Measure, Othello, and Hamlet can determine whether Steinbeck's generalization is applicable.
1. Plays have foils to help the audience understand important characters in the play. Foils are minor characters that have similarities and differences with a more important character in the play. Sometimes the minor character is just there for the character to talk to; this is the basis for being a foil. In the play "Hamlet," [Titles] by William Shakespeare, the character Ophelia is a foil to Hamlet.
Random House Webster's dictionary defines a foil as "a person or thing that makes another seem better by contrast." This essay will focus on the use of the foil to contrast another character. The characters of Nora and Mrs. Linde provide an excellent example of this literary device. Mrs. Linde's aged, experienced personality is the perfect foil for Nora's childish nature. Mrs. Linde's hard life is used to contrast the frivolity and sheltered aspects of Nora's life. Nora's optimism and belief in things improbable is an opposite to the rationality and down-to-earth mentality of Mrs. Linde. Finally, the rekindling of the flame between Mrs. Linde and Krogstad is a direct contrast to the burning down of Nora and Torvald's "doll's house."
Shakespeare uses quite a lot of literary devices and techniques to present the characters of Hero and Beatrice in a way that lets the audience easily compare and contrast them. For example, in the characterisation of Hero and Beatrice, the dialogue used – what they say, how they say it, what other characters say about them and Hero’s silence are all very important in revealing their characters; in a similar way, their actions – what the characters do, and their inaction contrasts and creates significant difference between them, bringing each one’s personality. In addition, Shakespeare’s constant use of dramatic irony, exaggeration and contrasting plots, themes and structure all combine in his presentation of the two.
For instance, Beowulf states, “.. I slew nine sea-beasts with my sword... I have not heard tell that you have taken part in any such contests, in the peril of sword-play.. I do not boast of because of this-through of course it is true you slew your own brothers.”(Line 490-505) To summarize, Beowulf takes a humble approach to the aggressive Unferth and questions his past. Furthermore, Beowulf shows his anger and contempt when speaking to unferth about his reputation. To illustrate, Beowulf says,” you will suffer damnation in hell... If you were in fact as unflinching as you claim, the fearsome monster Grendel would never have committed so many crimes against your lord, nor created such havoc in Herot.”(Line 505-510) As a result, Beowulf creates shame to Unferth and perceives him as a waste of a Dane. Secondly,the wife’s lord left their family and sailed away, leaving her behind; which mentally frustrated her. To continue, she began to undertake a quest to find
The perfection of Hamlet’s character has been called in question - perhaps by those who do not understand it. The character of Hamlet stands by itself. It is not a character marked by strength of will or even of passion, but by refinement of thought and sentiment. Hamlet is as little of the hero as a man can be. He is a young and princely novice, full of high enthusiasm and quick sensibility - the sport of circumstances, questioning with fortune and refining on his own feelings, and forced from his natural disposition by the strangeness of his situation.