Foils
English 3
What is a Foil?
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A foil is a character who contrasts with another
character in order to highlight various features of that
other character's personality
How to Spot a Foil
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A foil's complementary role may be emphasized by
physical characteristics.
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Example: Fat v. Thin,Young v. Old, Tall v. Short, Handsome v. Ugly,
Logical v. Insane
The protagonist usually has a foil.
Popular foils include:
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Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde
Othello & Iago (From Othello)
God & Satan
Class Discussion
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Give me examples of a foil in pop culture
The Crucible
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Give me an example of a foil in The Crucible?
Foils in The Crucible
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Elizabeth & Abigail
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Elizabeth is loving and honest
Abigail is spiteful and dishonest
What is another difference between Elizabeth and Abigail?
Proctor & Hale
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Both go through a major journey throughout the play, but in
different directions
Proctor goes from doubt to a place of truth
Hale starts out certain but ends by counseling others to lie to
save themselves from death