Foil

Revision as of 11:25, 10 November 2004 by Glucas (talk | contribs)

A dramatic character who enhances or deflates another character by contrast. Based on the literal jeweler’s foil, or black velvet cloth held behind a piece of jewelry to allow it to shine in contrast. Horatio, in Shakespeare’s Hamlet, represents the definitive foil to Hamlet.


Literary Terms