Foil
The Way of the World
by William Congreve

The Way of the World: Foil 2 key examples

Key Examples in The Way of the World

Act 1, Scene 3
Explanation and Analysis—Mirabell and Fainall:

Respectively the protagonist and antagonist of the play, Mirabell and Fainall, are foils for each other. In Act 1, Scene 3, they begin to show themselves as opposite sides of the same coin:

FAINALL: For a passionate lover, methinks you are a man somewhat too discerning in the failings of your mistress.

MIRABELL: And for a discerning man, somewhat too passionate a lover; for I like her with all her faults; nay, like her for her faults.

Act 4, Scene 15
Explanation and Analysis—Wishfort and Millamant:

In Act 4, Scene 15, Lady Wishfort receives a letter from Marwood that the audience knows will reveal "Sir Rowland" to be Waitwell in disguise. Lady Wishfort reveals herself to be a foil for Millamant:

Now with your permission Sir Rowland, I will peruse my letter. – I would open it in your presence, because I would not make you uneasy. If it should make you uneasy, I would burn it – speak, if it does – but you may see by the superscription it is like a woman’s hand.

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