1. Character Foils in Romeo and Juliet

2. Character Foil - Character who contrasts with another character to help highlight particular qualities and character traits. Must have some similarities that make the reader compare the two characters.

3. Tybalt and Benvolio : Both cousins to main characters, important families, present during conflicts. Tybalt= aggressive, impulsive, concerned with family honor/status. Benvolio= calm, mediator, wants to stop violence

4. Romeo and Mercutio: Best friends, prominent young men of Verona. Mercutio=witty skeptic, outgoing, cynical about love. Romeo=impetuous, falls in love constantly and completely, talks about his feelings, keeps to himself more

5. Romeo and Paris : Young men from rich families, in love with Juliet Paris= older, conventional, father’s approval, reacts moderately Romeo= younger, impulsive, secretly defying families, reacts passionately

6. Nurse and Lady Capulet : both help raise Juliet, her “mothers” Nurse= common, funny, Juliet confides in her. Lady Capulet= noble, dignified, distant

7. Rosaline and Juliet: Both girls Romeo is wildly in love with Rosaline- uninterested in love, chaste Juliet- falls immediately for Romeo, can’t wait to be married to him