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how is benvolio a foil to mercutio

by Dr. Stanton Gaylord IV Published 3 years ago Updated 3 years ago

Full Answer

Why is Benvolio Mercutio's dramatic foil?

Benvolio is Mercutio's dramatic foil because while Mercutio is extremely hotheaded, impetuous, and rash, Benvolio is one of the most calm, rational characters of the play; he is even one of the play's peacekeepers. Click to see full answer. Regarding this, how is Mercutio different from Benvolio?

How is Mercutio a foil to Romeo?

Mercutio is a foil to Romeo in their attitudes toward love and in their personality traits. Whereas Romeo is in love with love, speaking of it in Petrarchan reverence as he pines over Rosaline, Mercutio exhibits a somewhat cavalier attitude toward love.

How are Benvolio and Mercutio similar and different?

Although Benvolio and Mercutio are alike because they are both very loyal to Romeo, they are different because Benvolio is calm, level-headed, and honest and Mercutio tends to be a sarcastic, wild person who follows his emotions more than his common sense. Beside above, in what specific ways is Mercutio a foil to Romeo?

What is the relationship between Benvolio and Romeo?

Benvolio and Romeo are also opposites in the fact that Benvolio is much more level-headed about love and often looks out for his cousin, Romeo, by telling him that there are many women to love. He also makes sure that his cousin is safe and is frequently telling Romeo's parents about his whereabouts.

Who is a foil to Mercutio?

Mercutio, the witty skeptic, is a foil for Romeo, the young Petrarchan lover. Mercutio mocks Romeo's vision of love and the poetic devices he uses to express his emotions: Romeo, Humors! Madman!

Are Mercutio and Benvolio foils?

The most famous foil character in Romeo and Juliet is Mercutio. Mercutio is considered a foil to Romeo. Mercutio is blood kin to both the Prince and to Count Paris. He is close friends with Benvolio and Romeo.

How is Benvolio a foil character?

Benvolio and Tybalt, the devoted kinsmen, both have two separate personalities. While Benvolio portrays a benevolent peacemaker, the more rancorous Tybalt serves as a foil to his character enhancing Shakespeare's play. In Shakespeare's drama, Benvolio depicts a very compassionate and sincere pacifist.

What is Benvolio to Mercutio?

Between this hot-tempered pair stands level-headed Benvolio, Romeo's cousin, a Montague and friend to Mercutio. In contrast to Mercutio, Benvolio wants to avoid confrontation. He is presented throughout the play as cautious and careful (his name, translated from Italian, means 'good will').

How are Benvolio and Mercutio similar?

Although Benvolio and Mercutio are alike because they are both very loyal to Romeo, they are different because Benvolio is calm, level-headed, and honest and Mercutio tends to be a sarcastic, wild person who follows his emotions more than his common sense.

Who is a character foil to Romeo?

MercutioRomeo and Mercutio: Mercutio=witty skeptic, outgoing, cynical about love.

How is Benvolio and Tybalt foils?

In Romeo and Juliet, Romeo's cousin Benvolio (whose name even means good will or benevolence) and Tybalt are foils. While Benvolio is just a nice guy who does everything in his power to stop a fight and keep the peace, Tybalt can't draw his sword quickly enough.

Which two characters would be an example of a foil seen in Act I scene I?

The two sets of characters in Act 1 that are foils for each other are Lady Capulet and the Nurse and Tybalt and Benvolio. Lady Capulet is very businesslike and straight forward.

What is a foil character?

In literature, authors will sometimes highlight certain aspects of a character's personality by using a foil: a supporting character who has a contrasting personality and set of values. Putting the foil and main character in close proximity helps draw readers' attention to the latter's attributes.

What is Benvolio's purpose in the play?

Benvolio is a fictional character in Shakespeare's drama Romeo and Juliet. He is Lord Montague's nephew and Romeo's cousin. Benvolio serves as an unsuccessful peacemaker in the play, attempting to prevent violence between the Capulet and Montague families.

How is Benvolio loyal?

Benvolio is loyal/trustworthy because Romeo's parents can trust Benvolio when he says he will talk to Romeo to figure out why he is always acting upset. He is also loyal to Romeo because he talks to him about why he is upset and finds out its because of love.

Is Benvolio in love with Romeo?

Benvolio is a close friend of Romeo. He is also a good friend to the Montague family.

Character Analysis

'Loyal,' 'devoted,' 'funny' and 'witty' are just a few of the words that describe Romeo's best friend, Mercutio, in William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet. He is neither a Montague nor a Capulet, but he is more than just an interested party in the epic family feud.

Mercutio as the Skeptic Foil

Mercutio's character serves as a foil in Romeo and Juliet. A foil is a character who juxtaposes another character so audiences can clearly see certain qualities of the other character. This is usually done to help define the protagonist, or lead character, of the story. In Mercutio's case, he is the direct opposite of the hero, Romeo.

Mercutio's Warning

Every character in Romeo and Juliet serves a distinct purpose in moving the narrative forward. Mercutio does not think that Romeo should get involved with Juliet, that it will only cause a monster headache and that it will never work out. Although Mercutio is a sort of tough guy, his goal is to keep peace between the families.

It's All Fun and Games Until Tragedy Strikes

Mercutio is, as the lesson describes, one of the Romeo and Juliet 's stand-out characters.

Who Is Mercutio?

Mercutio is a relative of Prince Escalus in William Shakespeare's play, Romeo and Juliet, and is a close friend to Romeo Montague. In Romeo and Juliet, he first appears in Act 1 Scene 4 as he convinces Romeo to enter a Capulet party that they were not invited to.

Mercutio's Personality

Mercutio's personality served to offer new perspectives on issues that plagued the main characters in Romeo and Juliet.

It's All Fun and Games Until Tragedy Strikes

Mercutio is, as the lesson describes, one of the Romeo and Juliet 's stand-out characters.

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