English Literature GCSE
Foil
What Foil means in English Literature GCSE, as defined for Eduqas, OCR, Pearson Edexcel.
Definitions of Foil
Exam boards and our study guides word this term in slightly different ways. Learn the version your board uses.
A character who contrasts with another character to highlight specific qualities.
A character who contrasts with another character (usually the protagonist) in order to highlight particular qualities of the other character. St. John Rivers is a foil to Rochester, highlighting Rochester's passion by his own coldness.
A character who contrasts with another character (usually the protagonist) to highlight particular qualities of the other character. Example: The cynical, witty Mercutio is a foil to the romantic, idealistic Romeo.
A character who contrasts with another character (usually the protagonist) to highlight particular qualities of the other character. Antonio and Shylock can be seen as foils to each other.
A character who contrasts with another character (usually the protagonist) to highlight qualities of the other character.
A character who contrasts with another character to highlight particular qualities of the other character.
Topics that use Foil
- An Inspector Calls (Eduqas GCSE)
- Henry V (Eduqas GCSE)
- Macbeth (Eduqas GCSE)
- Pride and Prejudice (Eduqas GCSE)
- Silas Marner (Eduqas GCSE)
- The History Boys (Eduqas GCSE)
- Jane Eyre (OCR GCSE)
- Modern prose or drama (OCR GCSE)
- Romeo and Juliet (OCR GCSE)
- The Merchant of Venice (OCR GCSE)
- Twelfth Night (Pearson Edexcel GCSE)
Related terms
Using Foil in the exam
Definition questions usually carry one or two marks, and examiners look for the precise wording. Write the definition from memory, check it against the version above, and then use the term in a longer answer on the same topic so it sticks.
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