Foil

Character Role Analysis

Austria

Austria serves as a foil for the Bastard. Even though the main purpose of a foil is to contrast with another character, there have to be some points of similarity between the two, otherwise you wouldn't know that you were supposed to compare those two characters, right?

The similarity between Austria and the Bastard is that they are both young hotheads itching for a fight. They love to boast and talk about themselves. They're also united in another, darker way: the Bastard is the son of Richard the Lionheart, and Austria is the one who killed Richard the Lionheart.

What makes these two different? Unlike the Bastard, Austria is slow-witted and conventional; he has none of the Bastard's verbal wit and impolite exuberance. Also, when push comes to shove, and sword comes to sword, the Bastard emerges triumphant—having cut off Austria's head. This shows that, for all Austria's vanity in wearing the lion skin he took from the dead King Richard, the Bastard is the better fighter.