High School

Which two characters are literary foils?

A. Romeo and Juliet
B. Friar Lawrence and Juliet's nurse
C. Benvolio and Mercutio
D. Benvolio and Tybalt

Answer :

Final answer:

In Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, Benvolio and Tybalt serve as literary foils to each other, representing contrasting approaches to conflict and family loyalty. Benvolio is peaceful, while Tybalt is aggressive, highlighting the theme of violence in the feud. Therefore, the answer is Benvolio and Tybalt (Option D).


Explanation:

Identifying Literary Foils in Romeo and Juliet

In literature, a literary foil is a character who contrasts with another character—typically the main character—to highlight particular qualities of the other character. In Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, the most notable foils include:

  • Benvolio and Tybalt: Benvolio, who seeks peace and tries to avoid conflict, contrasts sharply with Tybalt, who is aggressive and quick to anger. This opposition emphasizes the varying responses to the feud between their families.
  • Benvolio and Mercutio: Benvolio is calm and rational, while Mercutio is witty and impulsive, highlighting different perspectives on love and conflict.

Among the options given, the correct pair of literary foils is Benvolio and Tybalt (Option D). This distinction captures how their opposing traits drive the action and conflict of the play.


Learn more about literary foils here:

https://brainly.com/question/3058314