Dramatic Foil
a character with qualities that contrasts another character's qualities
Tybalt and Benvolio
Tybalt (fiery, violent): "What, drawn and talk of peace? I hate the word, as I hate hell, all Montagues, and thee." (I.i.71-72)
Benvolio (peaceful): "I do but keep the peace. Put up thy sword, or manage it to part these men with me." (I.i.69-70)
Lady Capulet and Nurse
Lady Capulet (royalty, distant): "This is the matter.—Nurse, give leave awhile. We must talk in secret.—Nurse, come back again. I have remembered me, thou's hear our counsel. Thou knowest my daughter's of a pretty age." (I.iii.8-11)
Nurse (common, close): "Faith, I can tell her age unto an hour." (I.iii.12)
Mercutio and Romeo
Mercutio (dislikes love): "Prick love for pricking, and you beat love down" (I.vi.28)
Romeo (believes in love): "Did my heart love till now? Forswear it, sight, for I ne'er saw true beauty till this night." (I.v.59-60)