While this usage of “foiled” has perhaps contributed to an oversimplified conflation between foils and bad guys, that doesn’t mean that antagonists can’t be foils - and indeed, they often are, especially in stories that develop their characters thoughtfully over time. “Curses! Foiled again!” is something a cartoon villain might say after the hero defeats them. Serving as compelling antagonists (sometimes) The fact that he is consistently impressed by Sherlock’s eccentric solutions only makes Sherlock look more brilliant. Yet it also elevates Watson, clarifying that his intelligence is nothing to scoff - as he is a doctor and veteran. Holmes and Watson work together to solve the same crimes but operate very differently: Watson is pragmatic and modest, which accentuates Sherlock’s eccentricities and extreme confidence, while Sherlock’s unusual methods contrast with Watson’s more conventional, by-the-book approach. Commodus in Gladiator)Įxample #1: Sherlock Holmes and John Watson Here are some common contrasts in different character types: By giving them traits that oppose your main character, specific aspects of the protagonist become much clearer and make a greater impression on the reader. Sure, anyone can guess that the new bike is faster - but only you can tell how smooth the gears are, how light the frame is, and how sensitive the brakes are.Ī foil character is like that rusty bike. To put it analogously, it’s hard to truly appreciate a new bicycle unless you’ve just spent the summer pedaling uphill on a rusty Schwinn. Again, the foil character primarily serves to contrast the main character.
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