Character Analysis

Boyet is actually a totally fascinating creation. Shakespeare scholar Harold Bloom describes him as "the play's prophet" (source: Bloom, Harold. Shakespeare: The Invention of the Human). What does our man Mr. Bloom mean by that? He serves important functions in the plot, announcing the ladies' arrival and tipping them off to the imminent visit of the Russians. Not quite fatherly, he can certainly keep up with the ladies and helps shape their expectations of masculinity. He is the whetstone on which they sharpen their wits.