FOIL

A foil is a character who contrasts with another character by way of personality.

Now, here's a term I haven't heard before. Apparently there is an actual word for characters like Valjean and Javert, or Draco and Harry. Characters who oppose each other in personality and add a degree of excitement to a story. 

Obviously you can think of many more foils in literature you enjoy, (for more examples click here) however, not all foils are created equal.Sometimes characters in a foil are strikingly similar, with one main difference separating them. One example is the iconic characters Javert and Jean Valjean. Both believe in their idea of what is good, though Javert believes the law is what is good and Valjean believes you do not always need to follow the law so long as your intentions are good.  Two similar characters, one big difference.

In the memorable tragedy that is Romeo and Juliet, there are mulitple foils adding to the plot and drama of the play. My favorite "relationship" between two characters is between Paris and Romeo. 

We know Juliet is not the one Romeo loves at first, and that Paris intends to marry her before the lovers meet, but what do the men really think of each other, and how do they compare? 

And now, because you have the (admittedly somewhat boring) background information, we get to the part where I, the author, share  my opinion.

Early in act one, we find our dashing Montague moping over his lost love and how they can never be together and "woe is me". 

"When the devout religion of mine eye
Maintains such falsehoods, then turns tears to fire;
And these, who often drown'd could never die,
Transparent heretics, be burnt for liars!
One fairer than my love! the all-seeing sun
Ne'er saw her match since first the world begun."

Well Romeo, to speak in unprofessional terms, you are whipped. Not with Juliet as the title suggests, but instead to Rosaline, a woman who recently took a chastity vow. Basically Romeo is the definition of a love sick teenager. 

And then there's Paris, Juliet's betrothed, who shows little to no interest in actually loving Juliet.

"Younger than she are happy mothers made."

First of all, ew. And second of all, ew. Juliet is almost fourteen, whereas Paris is in his twenties. Obviously times were different then, and it is shocking to see what they believed back then.

Romeo and Tybalt fight near fallen Mericutio 

In act one alone, Romeo shows his for feelings and love, and Paris shows that thinks logically about situations, rather than "following his heart."

To view sources used in this article click here.