Foil

Character Role Analysis

Roscuro / Despereaux

Roscuro and Despereaux both start their lives in similar situations. They're both different from their respective community members, and both have a real appreciation for beauty and light. However, when Roscuro is punished for being upstairs (and falling into the queen's soup) he becomes obsessed with the idea of revenge and never quite recovers. Despereaux, on the other hand, immediately forgives his father for sentencing him to death and is therefore able to move on; Roscuro's stuck, unable to enjoy life.