Friday, March 7, 2014

How is Benvolio a foil to Romeo?

Benvolio and Romeo are both Montagues, similar in age, and good friends. Where Romeo is given to intense emotions, however, Benvolio is much more level-headed. Romeo is pretty self-centered; Benvolio is not. Benvolio seeks peace; he tries to break up a fight between his house and the Capulets in Act I, Scene 1, and sttempts to prevent another such fight just before Tybalt kills Mercutio, an action that prompts Romeo to kill Tybalt. While Benvolio is constantly the voice of reason, Romeo is impulsively emotional, killing Tybalt in the street, with witnesses present. Benvolio has to tell Romeo to run afterward because Romeo seems unable to think for himself. Benvolio honestly seems like the most mature out of Romeo and all his friends; he's not interested in fighting, doesn't make the same kinds of bawdy and sexual jokes as the others do, and usually acts in a measured and calm way.

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