Foils
A character that might parallel yet contrast another is said to be a foil. A foil is used to clarify character traits as well as issues in stories and plays. An example of this would be Iago and Othello from the Shakespeare play Othello. Othello is a trustworthy and upstanding individual who has a slight problem as far as spontaneity is concerned. Iago, on the other hand, is deceptive and manipulative, but Iago thinks things out thoroughly. Shakespeare uses these two characters against each other to further bring out their good and bad traits. This idea of a foil seems to be a recurring tool that Shakespeare uses in his plays. Shakespeare clarifies character traits in Hamlet by the use of foils. One of the best examples of foils in the play is Hamlet against Laertes. At the beginning of the play, we all know that Hamlets father was killed. He has this trait in common with Laertes later on in the play when his father Polonius is killed by Hamlet. At this point, both me are seeking vengeance for a fathers death. This shows perhaps, Hamlet's "fatal" or "tragic" flaw. Hamlet hesitates at every opportunity he has to kill Claudius with Laertes is willing to seek vengeance immediately. Laertes says:
Foils help us to see different possibilities for character. " Hamlet praises Horatio as a just and temperate man, who "is not passion's slave," who suffers life's ups and downs with a clear and sound mind. Ophelia's character on the other hand is concerned with her chastity. The fact the Hamlet praises and admires Horatio suggests that he admires something that which he does not have. On the other hand, after Hamlet has decided to put on his "antic disposition," he appears to be insane. I'll jot be juggled with:To hell, allegiance! Vows, to the blackest devil!Conscience and grace, to the profoundest pitThat both the worlds I give to negligence,Let come what comes; only I'll be revengedMost thoroughly for my father. Gertrude's character is also a very sexual one. The use of foils in Shakespeare plays is used to bring out good or bad character traits. (By this I am in no way being sexist) Gertrude pretty much does whatever Claudius tells her to do as does Ophelia when Polonius talks to her. A common trait that they both share is that the are both loyal and obedient to their men. This also implies that had the same circumstances been given to Horatio, he would have handled the situation better than Hamlet. Although Polonius doesn't really do anything as bad as killing anyone, he does have his pompous motives and uses Ophelia at some points to help him while she is unaware of what she is actually doing. "At this point, we really see that Laertes is ready to die and that he does not care about what will happen to him in the next life.
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Acceptance Essays
