So, you’ve written a flawed, multi-layered protagonist who has clear motivations, wants, and needs. You’ve presented them authentically on the page with a clear direction throughout the plot. They are up against an equally well-developed antagonist who places challenging obstacles in front of them.
Yet… there’s something missing that you can’t quite put your finger on. Your protagonist isn’t quite jumping off the page. Well, we have a solution – foil characters.
But just what is a foil character and how can we use them to effectively use them to accentuate our protagonists’ character? In this article we’ll explore the definition of foil characters, the benefits of using them, and some key examples from some of your favorite movies and TV shows.
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Defining foil character
Foils are a common literary device designed to highlight aspects of the protagonist’s personality through varying degrees of conflict. This could include showing contrast between character traits or indeed their choices, or values they make throughout the plot.
Foil characters are usually secondary to the protagonist and help an audience garner a deeper understanding of not just the protagonist themselves, but of the overall plot and story themes.
Antagonist vs. foil
You may be thinking ‘isn’t a foil character simply the antagonist?’ Well, they can be both, however, they have quite different roles in the protagonist’s journey. An antagonist directly opposes the protagonist, deliberately placing obstacles in their way as they pursue their goal.
In contrast, a foil character has a simpler role; to spotlight the protagonist’s traits and help them learn something new about themselves. This isn’t a deliberate action on their part, but a meeting of two different personalities.
Other types of foil
Foil characters aren’t the only types of foil you can use to highlight aspects of a protagonist’s personality or the story themes. Here are some other examples:
Setting
Contrasting settings can create key contrasts within a story. In Wuthering Heights (1847), for example, author Emily Bronte uses the two houses, Wuthering Heights and Thrushcross Grange as foils to each other. This technique helps to explain the story events.
The description of these two settings contrasts effectively, which in turn develop not just the story but the characters; those associated with Wuthering Heights are unrefined, whereas those associated with Thrushcross Grange are more superior.
Chapter 12: Wuthering Heights description
“There was no moon, and everything beneath lay in misty darkness: not a light gleamed from any house, far or near all had been extinguished long ago: and those at Wuthering Heights were never visible… .”
Chapter 12: Thrushcross Grange description
“Gimmerton chapel bells were still ringing; and the full, mellow flow of the beck in the valley came soothingly on the ear. It was a sweet substitute for the yet absent murmur of the summer foliage, which drowned that music about the Grange when the trees were in leaf.”
Subplots
Foil subplots work in a similar way to the foil character. A secondary character has a similar dilemma to that of the protagonist but their approach to reconciling their dilemma is vastly different. It’s this contrast within the plot itself that highlights the protagonist’s qualities.
Shakespeare does this successfully within Hamlet (1623). The protagonist, Hamlet, as well as secondary characters Fortinbras and Laertes all seek revenge for their fathers’ deaths. The latter use physical means to incite revenge, whereas Hamlet uses psychology and attempts to shame and humiliate his uncle, the perpetrator.
Uses/benefits of foil characters
Deeper understanding of character
The purpose of foil characters is to accentuate the strengths and weaknesses of the protagonist, therefore providing us as an audience with a deeper understanding of the protagonist that we wouldn’t have had.
For example, would we know as much about Karl from Disney Pixar’s Up (2009), if it wasn’t Russell’s character who knocked on the door in the early minutes of the movie? Russell isn’t Karl’s antagonist, but he forces him to discover the adventure within himself again, something he hadn’t had since his wife Ellie, passed away.
Contextualizes character
Foil characters set us a benchmark as an audience and where other characters sit along that. Take Emily Charlton in The Devil Wears Prada (2006). When protagonist Andy arrives at the magazine, she is no fashion insider. She’s bemused by the seriousness Emily, and the magazine editor, Miranda Priestly, take in their work. Emily sets the benchmark, constantly rushed off her feet, whilst Miranda plays the authoritative, cold boss.
Through working with such extreme personalities, we see even more, how Andy doesn’t belong in the fashion world when she first arrives. These contrasts spark her character development as well as highlight her personality. We root for her to succeed.
Good vs. evil
In reality, there is not simply good and evil. Every person has light and dark inside them, and this should be no different for our characters. The differing opinions, emotions, motivations, and purposes of foil characters, highlight the elements of good and evil within the protagonist, including their flaws.
Offers the protagonist a different path
“What if?” is something we often ask ourselves in our lives. What if we’d gone down a different path? What if we’d made a different decision? Such options can be presented to our protagonists through foil characters. A foil character’s contrasting values and motivations could light up an alternative path for the main character.
Returning to Hamlet, it can be argued that Laertes and Fortinbras’ approach to avenging their fathers’ death presents another path of action for Hamlet. It’s one Hamlet doesn’t decide to pursue, but if this option were not presented to him in the first place, would he have been so dogged in his determination to humiliate his uncle?
Examples from film/TV
Harry Potter (2001-2011)
Throughout the entire Harry Potter series, protagonist Harry’s foil character is Draco Malfoy. Their upbringings are completely different: Harry grew up mostly living in an understairs cupboard with Muggles while Draco grew up in a rich, influential household with authority in the magical world.
As a result of their contrasting upbringings, Harry, and Draco’s personalities clash. Harry has an openly good heart. While he has a fiery temper at times, his intentions are always to help the magical world, despite his tricky childhood and that the antagonist, Voldemort will stop at nothing to kill him.
While Draco’s childhood was affluent, he is bitter and constantly trying to live up to his father, Lucius’ unrealistic expectations. As the series progresses, Draco becomes a Death Eater, one of Voldemort’s followers.
Draco’s character is in a unique position as a foil character; he is the same age as Harry, attending Hogwarts at the same time. As the main antagonist, Voldemort is further removed as an adult and existing covertly within the wider wizarding world. Draco’s close proximity to the protagonist allows his character to highlight Harry’s qualities, presenting him authentically to an audience.
Brooklyn Nine-Nine (2013-2021)
An ensemble comedy, Brooklyn Nine-Nine has its fair share of wacky yet relatable characters. Captain Holt is the head of the police department, who does everything by the book, a straight-faced boss.
His character is the perfect foil for Detective Jake Peralta who lives a more care-free existence, always looking for the next joke and goes with his gut feelings when working. Each of these characters bring out something different in the other, knowing exactly which buttons to push.
Breaking Bad (2008-2013)
Walter White’s character in the hit TV series hides a dark secret. He hides his drug-lord activities from his family, determined to make enough money to leave them before he dies. As an audience we may argue that his intentions are amicable, but his actions to achieve his goal are questionable.
Hank, his brother-in-law, is close to the family, and closer to Walter’s son that Walter has ever been. We cannot help but make direct comparisons between the two men. Hank toes the line as a devoted DEA officer, investigating criminal activity. He’s almost a reflection of what Walter could be but hasn’t quite reached.
Frozen (2013)
The relationship between the foil characters in Disney’s Frozen is even closer. Elsa and Anna, whilst being sisters, are each other’s foil. While Elsa struggles to connect emotionally, fearful of the world, Anna is sure of herself and wants to foster a stronger bond with her sister.
The changes in their relationship throughout the movie doesn’t just affect them, but also the entire plot.
Sherlock (2010-2017)
Another close relationship is in the friendship of Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson in the BBC series Sherlock.
Their conflicting personalities serve each other well in their pursuit of solving complex crimes. While Sherlock is selfish and cold, Watson is selfless and compassionate. Each bring out new qualities in each other, characterized through their verbal disputes in most episodes.
Tips using foil characters
Now it’s time to develop your own foil character. Here are our top tips for creating the most impactful foil possible.
Opposites attract
Your foil character should have enough differing characteristics to your protagonist. If not, there won’t be enough contrast. They can have some similarities, but it’ll be their differences that highlight the protagonist’s qualities.
Explore a protagonist’s internal conflict
If a protagonist meets another character with opposing traits, it makes them more likely to reflect on themselves and their decisions. So much so, they could be inspired to act in a way they haven’t before or change their point of view. This questioning enhances their internal conflict and enriches their journey towards their goal.
Consider intentions
As you are developing your foil character, consider the specific intention behind their purpose and where they appear along your protagonist’s journey. Are they there to clarify what the protagonist is or isn’t? Are they there to plot the repercussions of a decision the protagonist makes?
Ensure you have this clearly worked out before you start writing, as you can then ensure every action the foil takes, is fulfilling their initial story purpose.
Conflict is key
Story is conflict. It’s what drives the plot forwards and incites changes in our characters. The protagonist must have something tangible and impactful to fight for or achieve. Make sure your foil characters emphasize the story conflict.
For example, in the later Harry Potter stories, Harry is trying to find a way to bring down Voldemort. Draco Malfoy as a character, makes this more difficult, especially in The Half-Blood Prince where he’s been initiated as a Death Eater, working to get Voldemort into Hogwarts Castle and therefore kill Dumbledore.
Draco’s actions throughout the sixth instalment make Harry’s goal more difficult, despite not being the antagonist of the piece.
Conclusion
In the intricacies of storytelling, foil characters serve to spotlight the personality depths of protagonists. Through contrast, these characters add layers of complexity and resonance to narrative and character arcs.
As we’ve explored in this article, foil characters reflect the essence of our protagonists. From the stark disparities in personalities to the subtle nuances in their choices and values, foils carve out a space where the very essence of our protagonists can shine.
Foil characters also contextualize our protagonists within the broader spectrum of their fictional worlds, creating benchmarks against which we measure growth and transformation. Whether it’s through contrasting settings, subplots, or interpersonal dynamics, foils serve as compass points, guiding both characters and audiences alike.
Through their juxtaposition, protagonists emerge as more than static figures on a page, but as living, breathing entities, shaped by the light and shadow cast by their foils.
So, as you create your own foil characters, embrace the contrasts and conflicts to create living, breathing protagonists juxtaposed against their foil counterparts.
