Macbeth Foils
A foil character contrasts another important character in a story, highlighting their traits, behaviors and individual psyches. This concept is clearly in Macbeth by William Shakespeare. In this play Duncan, Banquo, and Malcome function as foils to Macbeth.
In the beginning of the play, Duncan is a foil to Macbeth. For example, Duncan is kinder and cares for his people. Unlike Macbeth, who killed for his own personal game, Duncan had reason for killing people. For instance, when he has the original Thane of Cawdor executed for treason, he admits the “man was once a gentleman in whom I had absolute trust” (I.iv). This shows that Duncan took killing people very seriously unlike Macbeth, who just did it for no reason.
In addition,