Foil A literary term By Julia Crowell, Jamie Orlando and Kayleigh MacDonald

Definition A foil is a character who is there to highlight the qualities of another character (usually the protagonist) by being their opposite in some respect. A foil is a character who is there to highlight the qualities of another character (usually the protagonist) by being their opposite in some respect. This contrast is done specially to make the traits of the first character more pronounced This contrast is done specially to make the traits of the first character more pronounced

Examples in Literature Javert and Valjean in Hugo’s Les Misérables Javert and Valjean in Hugo’s Les Misérables Stevenson’s Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde Stevenson’s Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde God and Satan in Milton’s Paradise Lost God and Satan in Milton’s Paradise Lost

Activity Match the foil to the correct character Match the foil to the correct character Form groups of five and select your order Form groups of five and select your order Glory goes to the victor! Glory goes to the victor!

Round 1 In The Avengers, brawny, honest Thor’s foil is: A) Captain America B) Loki C) Bruce Banner D) Aqua Man

Answer – B) Loki Answer – B) Loki Loki relies on deceit and cunning to bring his schemes to fruition Loki relies on deceit and cunning to bring his schemes to fruition

Round 2 Dumbledore is a character who embodies the values of love, peace and wisedom. An appropiate foil would be Dumbledore is a character who embodies the values of love, peace and wisedom. An appropiate foil would be A) Nagini A) Nagini B) Gandalf B) Gandalf C) Voldemort C) Voldemort D) Dobby D) Dobby

Answer – C) Voldemort If Dumbledore is goodness personified Voldemort is evil incarnate If Dumbledore is goodness personified Voldemort is evil incarnate He trades in hate and fear as opposed to the love that is the cornerstone of the Headmaster’s philosophy He trades in hate and fear as opposed to the love that is the cornerstone of the Headmaster’s philosophy

Round 3 What character out of the following would make the best foil to the popular superhero, Batman? What character out of the following would make the best foil to the popular superhero, Batman? A) Robin B) Wonder Woman C) The Joker D) Stan Lee

Answer – C) The Joker The Joker chaotic evil and malevolent lunacy is a stark contrast to Batman’s ordered justice and self- control The Joker chaotic evil and malevolent lunacy is a stark contrast to Batman’s ordered justice and self- control

Round 4 Brilliant fictional detective Sherlock Holmes is known for aloof behaviour and intellectual elitism Brilliant fictional detective Sherlock Holmes is known for aloof behaviour and intellectual elitism A) Irene Adler A) Irene Adler B) James Moriarty B) James Moriarty C) John Watson C) John Watson D) Steven Moffat D) Steven Moffat

Answer – John Watson Friendly, reliable, steady. Watson’s everything his flatmate is not. Friendly, reliable, steady. Watson’s everything his flatmate is not. Remember, a foil is not necessarily an enemy it’s merely a character that provides a strong contrast to the other in question. Remember, a foil is not necessarily an enemy it’s merely a character that provides a strong contrast to the other in question.

Round 5: Final Round In William Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar, which pair of characters are a foil? In William Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar, which pair of characters are a foil? A)Brutus and Cassius B)Caesar and Cassius C)Brutus and Marc Antony D)Marc Antony and Caesar

Answer – A) Brutus and Cassius, C) Brutus and Marc Antony Brutus is honourable and has the good of the Republic at heart were as Cassius and Marc Antony are working for their own interests Brutus is honourable and has the good of the Republic at heart were as Cassius and Marc Antony are working for their own interests