Open Prompt #1

In a literary work, a minor character, often known as a foil, possesses traits that emphasize, by contrast or comparison, the distinctive characteristics and qualities of the main character. For example, the ideas or behavior of a minor character might be used to highlight the weaknesses or strengths of the main character. Choose a novel or play in which a minor character serves as a foil for the main character. Then write an essay in which you analyze how the relation between the minor character and the major character illuminates the meaning of the work.

In one of his most famous plays, Romeo and Juliet, Shakespeare uses the witty Mercutio as a foil against the passionate Romeo. Their relationship demonstrates the mutual dependence of reason and passion and the disastrous results when the balance is disrupted.

At the beginning of the play, the reader is introduced to Romeo who is portrayed as a sensitive young man who easily falls in love. This is apparent when Romeo professes that he is madly in love with a young woman by the name of Rosaline and then within the same night falls in love with Juliet at first sight. While it is not unusual for young people to appear passionate and naïve, Romeo’s passion becomes further pronounced when placed in juxtaposition with the cool skepticism of his close friend Mercutio.

Mercutio is introduced into the play as a witty counterpart to Romeo’s romantic nature and tendency to act impulsively.  Mercutio prefers to think of love as a “physical” idea. Mercutio is portrayed as the one who had common sense and level-headedness to show how ignorant and naïve Romeo is when it comes to love.

While Romeo follows his heart without giving thought to the consequences of his actions, Mercutio pokes fun at love, using comedy to caution both Romeo and the audience against taking one’s feelings too seriously.

Shakespeare uses the close friendship between Romeo and Mercutio to symbolize how passion and reason must coexist so as to maintain order and stability in the universe. When reason perishes with Mercutio, a chain of tragic deaths occurs.  Without the voice of reason, the power of Romeo’s love proves blind and disastrous.

Some may argue that Mercutio seems wildly romantic in nature during the Queen Mab speech, however with further inspection it is understood that Mercutio actually has a very realistic view of love. He speaks of dreams as a place where people can achieve their heart’s desire, but he cautions against this as ultimately delusional if one does not perform action in real life. He goes on to chastise Romeo for being so quick to fall in love with Juliet and Rosaline, yet unable to take action to pursue them. He uses the wild romanticism of the Queen Mab speech to disarm the audience, but comes back to criticize Romeo’s passion as immature and ineffectual because it is unaccompanied by physical effort to fulfill his desires.

While the contrast between the natures of the two young men initially provides comic relief, the truth of Mercutio’s cautionary quips and witty words turn into a hard and gritty reality resulting in the deaths of not only the two lovers, but of their two closest friends.