Character foils A study of contrasts

 a foil is a character who contrasts with another character (usually the protagonist)  highlights various features of other character's personality  throws these characteristics into sharper focus. Definition

 A foil's complementary role may be emphasized by physical characteristics.  A foil usually differs drastically.

 For example in Cervantes'Don Quixote, the dreamy and impractical Quixote is thin in contrast to his companion, the realistic and practical Sancho Panza, who is fat.CervantesDon QuixoteSancho Panza Don Quixote

 Another popular fictional character, Sherlock Holmes, is tall and lean; his right-hand man Doctor Watson, meanwhile, is often described as "middle- sized, strongly built." Sherlock HolmesDoctor Watson Sherlock Holmes

 Pumbaa and Timon are playful and superficial, and these qualities save Simba’s life when he is young.  But as he grows up he realizes he has to give up the playfulness and be a leader. Pumbaa and Timon are foils for Simba in “The Lion King”

 In Romeo and Juliet, the Friar's patience is a kind of foil to Romeo's haste and passion. Click here for video clip of Father Lawrence urging “distempered” Romeo to be patient.

 The end