I. Characters and their Literary Aspects from Final Fantasy VII and Final Fantasy VIII
A. The Hero Cycle in Final Fantasy VII
!. Cloud Strife
Cloud Strife from Final Fantasy VII follows the Hero Cycle throughout his character development. Cloud's cyclical journeys take him from his home, Nibelheim, to Midgar, across the world, back to Nibelheim, back to Midgar, revisits Nibelheim, and then, before completing his quest, Cloud returns to Midgar.
Confused yet? :)
Okay. The best place to start is the beginning. As we discuss Cloud's life, we will apply the Hero Cycle to certain stages of his development. An * denotes that a step is being taken to begin the Hero Cycle. Numbers will denote steps in the Hero Cycle.
*Cloud is born and outcasted in the small town of Nibelheim. He spends his life without any friends, other than a local girl, Tifa Lockheart.
*Cloud follows Tifa up Mt. Nibel after her mother dies, and he is later blamed for an accident.
*Cloud decides to go to Midgar to join SOLDIER in order to impress Tifa.
*Cloud and Tifa formulate a childhood promise in which Cloud promises to rescue Tifa if she is "ever in a bind"
*Cloud travels to Midgar
1. Cloud is not admitted to the ranks of SOLDIER. He is found unfit to enter it, and is handed over to Shinra researchers for further scientific experimentation.
2. Cloud is rejected by a Shinra researcher, Hojo, as a failed attempt at a Sephiroth clone. Cloud joins the Shinra army.
3. A mission with the Shinra army takes Cloud back to Nibelheim. Instead of coming clean about his failure to enter SOLDIER, Cloud hides behind his army uniform mask.
4. Later, when Sephiroth wreaks his havoc on the town, killing the citizens and burning the town, Cloud fulfills his vow to Tifa by rescuing her after Sephiroth attacked her. Cloud then overcomes Sephiroth. Cloud, and Sephiroth's SOLDIER companion, Zack, are then taken to the Shinra Mansion(outside of Nibelheim)for experimentation. Zack's memories mergre with Cloud's. The two escape and make their way back to Midgar. Zack is killed, and Cloud manages to get into the city.
5. Cloud is found in Midgar by Tifa, who had escaped there and opened her own bar. Tifa takes him in, and he joins a rebel group called AVALANCHE.
6. On a mission to destroy a reactor with AVALANCE, Cloud is knocked to the slums below by an explosion. He awakens in a church, and meets a girl named Aeris. He helps her home, and then, she joins him.
7. Cloud and the others have a series of misadventures. Aeris is kidnapped, and Cloud, Tifa, and Barret(the head of AVALANCHE)go to the Shinra HQ to rescue her. Once there, they discover that Sephiroth is alive. Cloud and the others escape Midgar, and set off on a quest to find and destroy Sephiroth.
8-10. These steps involve the time spent following Sephiroth's trail.
11. Cloud and the crew return to Nibelheim. The town should be nothing more than ash and rubble, but, inexplicably, there it is. Just as Tifa and Cloud remember it. But, no one seems to remember the two. What is going on?
12. Aeris, ever insightful, realizes that Cloud, for all intents and purposes, is not a whole person. He cannot recall parts of his past. At the Golden Saucer, Aeris starts Cloud on his internal journey to discover the truth about himself with the words: "I'm searching...for you...."
13. Aeris is killed by Sephiroth, and Cloud blames himself. He was impotent to stand up to Sephiroth, and his weakness caused Aeris's death. Cloud's acceptance and vow of vengeance for Aeris's murder comprise the 13th step of the Cycle.
14. Cloud's journeys take him to the North Crater, to Sephiroth. Cloud, whose rememberances of his past are all illusionary, is confronted with the truth by Sephiroth. Cloud, his illusions gone, gives up and allows Sephiroth to control him. This causes Meteor to be summoned, and nearly costs Cloud his life.
15. Cloud, found by Tifa in a hospital in Mideel, is in a coma. Tifa helps him to come to the realization of who he is: Cloud Strife of Nibelheim. This step of finding the truth enables Cloud to face down Sephiroth.
16. Cloud and the team venture back to Nibelheim to stop its destruction. By going back to the city which nearly destroyed him, and setting the wrongs right, Cloud makes up for his past, and is able to overcome it.
17. Cloud stops the petty rivalries among the Shinra execs. He does this by overcoming them.
18. Cloud and the team venture into the North Cave. Cloud Calls to the Planet, showing it his memories, his loves, and his life.
19. Cloud, unafraid and at peace, faces down Sephiroth.
20. Cloud finds Aeris, whose spirit has returned to the Planet and joined the Lifestream, a symbol of rebirth and renewal.
21. Some time after the ending of the game, Cloud dies. He is reunited with his love, Aeris, in the Lifestream. This is symbolically shown in the ending scenes with Red XIII and Midgar. Cloud, a "barren and desolated man" rejoins with Aeris, the Cetra, "the woman of the Planet."
2. Tifa Lockheart
Tifa Lockheart also follows the Hero Cycle throughout her character development in Final Fantasy VII. Her journeys take her from Nibelheim to Midgar to Nibelheim again.
*Born and raised in Nibelheim
*Mother dies and Tifa is hurt while searching for her spirit.
*Tifa and Cloud make a promise at the Nibelheim well
*Nibelheim is destroyed by Sephiroth
1. Tifa leaves the town and goes to Midgar. She meets Barret, the head of a rebel organization AVALANCE. She joins it and stations the HQ in her bar, Tifa's Seventh Heaven.
2. Tifa finds Cloud in Midgar apparently recovering from the Nibelheim incident. She takes him in.
3. Tifa sees Cloud with Aeris as she is starting out on a covert mission to get information from a local man, the Don.
4. Tifa tosses morality out the window and infiltrates the Don's HQ. She is playing the part of a prostitute. Cloud and Aeris come to her rescue, and Tifa is able to get the information she needs from the Don.
5. After a series of incidences, Tifa and Cloud discover that Sephiroth is alive. They are captured by the Shinra while trying to rescue Aeris. They escape the Shinra and Midgar.
6. Rivalries over Cloud begin between Aeris and Tifa.
7. Tifa starts on a guilt spiral because she has been lying to Cloud by supporting his incorrect memories of the Nibelheim destruction.
8.Cloud and Tifa return to Nibelheim; it should be nothing but ash and rubble...but there it is, just as they remember it. Only, no one seems to know them.
9. Aeris is killed by Sephiroth. Tifa begins to journey further down the guilt spiral.
10. Following Cloud to the Crater, Tifa's lies are brought to light by Sephiroth, who shows Cloud what really happened in Nibelheim. Cloud turns a deaf ear to Tifa, and allows Sephiroth to take over him.
11. Tifa loses Cloud.
12. Tifa quests to find Cloud, and vows to set things straight.
13. After searching the world over, Tifa finds Cloud in a coma in Mideel. She stays with him to help him.
14. In a flood of Lifestream, Tifa is forced to own up to her deceptions, drop her rationalizations, and helps Cloud uncover the truth. "And the Truth shall set ye free..."
15. Tifa and Cloud continue on, thwarting the Shinra.
16. Tifa joins Cloud in Calling the Planet. She shows it her life, her heart, her sacrifices, and her dreams.
17. Tifa, unafraid, confronts Sephiroth. His lies and plots have no influence on her.
18. Tifa rejects her former dishonesty.
19. Tifa remains behind, in this reality, as Cloud travels through time and space to the Final Confrontation with Sephiroth. Tifa is the anchor that pulls Cloud back home and saves him.
20. Tifa pulls Cloud back to the world, and is in turn saved from a certain death by him.
21. Tifa accepts that Cloud loves Aeris, not her, and no longer struggles against it.
3. Aeris Gainsborough
Aeris also follows the Hero Cycle throughout her development in Final Fantasy VII.
*Born to Ifalna and Prof. Gast in Icicle Inn.
*Father is killed by Shinra soldiers
*Ifalna and Aeris are taken to Midgar by Shinra for scientific research about the Ancients.
*Ifalna and Aeris escape the Shinra
1. Ifalna dies in Midgar, and Aeris is adopted by Elmyra
2. As a child, the Turks find Aeris and ask her to come back. She refuses, and they leave her be for the time.
3. Aeris meets Zack. The two begin a relationship.
4. Aeris meets Cloud. He reminds her of Zack at the beginning, but she later comes to realize that Cloud is not a whole man.
5. Aeris allows the Shinra to take her in exchange for the safety of Marlene, Barret's daughter, whom Tifa had asked Aeris to protect.
6. Aeris is rescued by Cloud and Tifa at the Shinra HQ.
7. Aeris begins explaining the Ancients to Cloud and Tifa.
8. After finding that Sephiroth is alive, Aeris escapes Midgar and the Shinra with the others.
9.-10. Aeris follows the others as they search for Sephiroth.
11. At the Golden Saucer, Aeris starts Cloud on his journey to find himself with the words: "I'm searching...for you..."
12. Aeris explains more about the Ancients at the Temple.
13. Aeris leaves the party to seek Sephiroth on her own. She knows that she is the only one who can stop his madness.
14. Aeris prays for Holy in the Forgotten Capitol.
15. Aeris shows her faith, love, and loyalty to Cloud by her sincere belief that he will never hurt her.
16. Aeris gives her life for the Planet. She dies at Sephiroth's hand, but ultimately is joined to the Lifestream. She is able to help the Planet.
17. Aeris reveals that she is part of the Lifestream, and has truly found the "Promised Land."
4. Vincent Valentine
Vincent Valentine shows the Hero Cycle in his role and development in Final Fantasy VII. His is more tragic than the others, but ultimately, he shows that tragedy can be overcome.
*Vincent joins the Turks and is sent to Nibelheim to insure the security of a top secret Shinra project.
1. Vincent meets Lucrecia, a scientist working on the project he is securing in Nibelheim
2. Vincent falls in love with Lucrecia
3. Lucrecia chooses science, and Hojo, over a life with Vincent
4. Vincent accepts his loss and is not embittered: "If it makes her happy, then it is alright."
5. Vincent learns the purpose, and Lucrecia's role in the Jenova Project. She and Hojo will conceive a child, and that child will be infused with Jenova cells in the womb.
6. Vincent tries to stop the Jenova Project in order to protect Lucrecia from a danger she doesn't realize.
7. Vincent is punished.
8. Vincent is locked in the Shinra mansion basement and is experimented upon
9. Vincent is put into a deep sleep that lasts for at least 20 years.
10. Vincent is awakened by Cloud and questioned about Sephiroth.
11. Vincent is reluctant to leave his sleep
12. Vincent decides to join Cloud on his journeys in order that he(Vincent)may repent of his sins.
13. Vincent discovers Lucrecia in a waterfall cavern. He tells her that her son, Sephiroth, is dead.
14. Lucrecia dies some time later. Vincent is faced with his greatest loss yet.
15. Vincent, refusing to allow tragedy to consume him, moves on.
16. Vincent calls out Sephiroth, showing him the truth
17. Vincent, at some point after the game's ending, rejoins the Lifestream
18. In joining the Lifestream, Vincent finds Lucrecia, and is able to remain with the love of his life forever. Their sins in allowing the Jenova Project to go forth are forgiven; their penance is over.
B. The Hero Cycle in Final Fantasy VIII
1. Squall Leonhart
Squall Leonhart is a good example of the Hero Cycle in Final Fantasy VIII. He begins as a sullen, introverted, untrusting young man. His journeys make him open up and trust others.
*Orphaned during the Sorceress War
*Taken in and raised by Matron Edea Kramer in the Centra Orphanage
*Went to Garden, inducted into SeeD at 17.
*Met a mysterious beautiful woman at the SeeD inargurual ball
1. Sent on his first mission to help the Timber Owls liberate Timber from Galbadian forces. Met mystery woman from the previous night; Rinoa, the leader of the Timber Owls
2. Seifer shows up in Timber and takes the President hostage, for Rinoa. He is taken by the Sorceress Edea, and is assumed dead. Squall must come to grips with the "death" of Seifer.
3. Squall is faced with his own mortality by Seifer's "death"
4. Squall is appointed to be part of the assasianation team to kill Edea.
5. Squall confronts Seifer and Edea and is defeated. He is grieviously injured and taken to D-District Prison
6. Squall, with the help of Irvine and Rinoa, escapes D-District Prison and discovers Edea's plan to destroy Balamb and Trabia Gardens.
7. Squall is forced to trust Selphie, a person he considers to be extremely immature, to stop the missiles from reaching Balam Garden.
8. Squall returns to Balamb Garden, which is undergoing an internal conflict for control between NORG and Cid. He stops the fighting and confronts Cid
9. Squall starts the Machine that makes Balamb Garden mobile and enables it to escape the missiles.
10. Squall is promoted to the leader of SeeD forces by Cid Kramer
11. Squall must choose: Duty or desire?
12. The mobile Garden crashes into Fisherman's Horizon. There, he is confronted with the philosophy of pacifism.
13. Selphie asks him to go to Trabia; she is worried about her home and her friends there. Squall concedes to her wishes.
14. At Trabia Garden, Squall is reminded of his own mortality, and learns that the Sorceress Edea is the same kindly woman who raised him and all the others(with the exception of Rinoa). Will he fight her?
15. Squall chooses to obey his duty and a battle ensues between Galbadia Garden and Balamb Garden. Squall faces down Seifer and Edea again, and this time, he and his team are successful. They overcome the duo. Edea, the sorceress is defeated, and Edea, the kindly Matron, returns. However, Rinoa collapses after the battle, and is in a deep coma.
16. Squall is again forced to choose between duty and desire. Only now, the desire is for Rinoa, the first and only woman he has loved. Squall's duty is to lead Garden; his wish is to do anything to awaken the comatose Rinoa.
17. Squall is torn between his duty and his heart. He chooses to steal Rinoa away and sneak out to Esthar.
18. Squall ventures to Esthar to seek out Dr. Odine there in hopes of restoring Rinoa. He opens up to the "sleeping princess" while carrying her to Esthar. Squall is found out by Quistis, Zell, Selphie, Irvine, and Edea. They all head out to Esthar.
19. Once in Esthar, Edea asks Dr. Odine to help her rid herself of her sorceress power, in order that Ultimecia may not be able to possess her anymore. Dr. Odine also wants to study Rinoa.
20. Dr. Odine sends Rinoa and Squall to the Lunar Base in hopes that there she may be restored. Once there, Rinoa is possessed by Ultimecia and frees the evil Adel from her tomb. Rinoa is then lost in space and will die if no one comes to her rescue.
21. Throwing caution to the wind and thinking only of his feelings for Rinoa, Squall jumps out into space and rescues her. The two find savlation aboard the Ragnarok. Esthar control can land them.
22. Squall learns that Esthar means to seal Rinoa away for the rest of time. He will never be able to be with her if this happens. Should he beg her to stay, or let her go? He leaves the desicion to her, and she chooses to go because she is afraid to live as a sorceress.
23. After a sound tongue-lashing from Quistis, Squall decides to go to the Memorial and take back Rinoa. He, Quistis, and Zell do this. Afterwards, Rinoa thanks them. She asks if they could go to the orphanage.
24. Standing near a flower field at the Centra orphanage, Squall and Rinoa talk. She tells him of a dream she had. The two promise to meet there, where they are.
25. Squall is hired by Laguna, the President of Esthar, to defeat Adel and rescue Ellone from the Lunatic Pandora. He accepts this mission, and winds up saving Rinoa from Seifer and Adel. Then, as planned, Ellone helps Ultimecia compress time.
26. Squall and his crew fall through time until they reach Ultimecia's time.
27. Squall faces down the sorceress Ultimecia and defeats her, ending her reign of terror.
28. Time compression collapses, and Squall and the others fall through time again, searching for home.
29. Squall becomes lost in the labyrinth of time. He goes as far as he believes he can, and then collapses. Rinoa finds him, and takes him home.
30. As promised, Squall and Rinoa watch shooting stars one night. Squall has overcome his fear of abandonment, and has accepted Rinoa's love. His journey is ended.
2. Rinoa Heartilly
Rinoa is an even better example of the Hero Cycle than Squall. She is the best example of the Hero Cycle in Final Fantasy VIII.
*Born to Julia and the General in Galbadia
*Meets and has a brief courtship with Seifer Almasy
*Starts a rebel group, the Timber Owls
1. Meets Squall at the SeeD inaguraural ball while she is looking for Headmaster Cid
2. Hires SeeD to help her kidnap and subdue the President Victor Deling
3. Faces the "death" of Seifer by the sorceress Edea
4. Rinoa must deal with the sadness of losing Seifer
5. In Deling City, Rinoa confronts her father, the General, and comes up with an alternative to his assault on the sorceress. Her plan is rejected, and she is sent away by the General
6. Rinoa sneaks out and tries to implement her plan by herself.
7. Rinoa is "charmed" by Edea, and is almost killed. She stands by Squall when he fights Edea, but is defeated and taken with the others to D-District Prison.
8. Rinoa is released, but returns to help the others escape.
9. Rinoa returns to Garden with Squall and helps him overcome the in-fighting.
10. Rinoa helps Squall start the machine that mobilizes Garden.
11. At Fisherman's Horizon, Rinoa takes to the pacifist philosophy.
12. After Squall's promotion, Rinoa talks to him. She asks him why he is so untrusting. "WHY?"
13. At Trabia Garden, Rinoa asks if fighting is the only option. She decides to follow the others no matter what.
14. After the Battle with Edea, Rinoa lapses into a coma
15. Rinoa is in a coma, and no one knows how to awaken her
16. In space, Rinoa is possessed by Ultimecia and frees Adel.
17. Rinoa is saved from a certain death in space by her hero, Squall.
18. Rinoa is taken by Esthar troops to be sealed away.
19. True to his feelings for her, Squall takes Rinoa away from Esthar.
20. Rinoa confides a dream to Squall, and the two make a solemn promise to meet at the flower field.
21. Rinoa is kidnapped by Seifer, and taken to Adel. She is saved by Squall and takes on the dying Adel's powers.
22. Rinoa falls through time into the distant future.
23. Rinoa faces down Ultimecia
24. Rinoa falls through time again, and reaches her home.
25. Rinoa realizes that Squall is lost in time, and goes back into it to find him and bring him home.
26. Rinoa finds Squall near-death in the vast straits of time.
27. After rescuing Squall, Rinoa and he watch shooting stars together, as they promised. Rinoa has accepted Squall with all his flaws, has accepted that she is a sorceress, and has reached the end of her Hero Cycle.
C. The Anti-Hero Cycle in Final FantasyVII
1. Sephiroth
Sephiroth is the only example of the Anti-Hero Cycle from Final Fantasy VII. Sephiroth's story begins with Hojo, Lucrecia, and Vincent in Nibelheim. Hojo and Lucrecia conceived a child and Prof. Gast infused their baby with Jenova cells while he was still in the womb. Nine months later, Sephiroth was born. He became the standard by which SOLDIER measured its members. Sephiroth's Anti-Hero cycle begins with the return mission to Nibelheim.
1. Sephiroth, Zack, and Cloud go on a mission to Nibelheim to investigate problems with a reactor. Once there, Sephiroth uncovers a partial truth about his parentage.
2. Sephiroth retrieve's his "mother" from the Mt. Nibel reactor core.
3. Sephiroth searches for the Promised Land with his mother. Jenova is uncovered by the Shinra and taken back to Midgar for further investigation.
4. Sephiroth takes steps to stop Shinra from discovering the Promised Land.
5. Sephiroth journeys to find a way to make himself a god.
6. Sephiroth confronts Cloud on the Shinra boat.
7. Sephiroth invites Cloud to the Reunion in Nibelheim
8. Clones begin to "invade" Nibelheim.
9. Sephiroth enters the Temple of the Ancients and discovers the way to become a god.
10. Sephiroth kills Aeris; giving the sacrifice needed to summon Holy.
11. Sephiroth takes control of Cloud at the Crater.
12. Sephiroth tries to destroy Cloud by showing him the truth.
13. Sephiroth sleeps in the Crater encased in Lifestream
14. Sephiroth summons Meteor
15. Hojo, under the control of Sephiroth, breaks the barrier around the North Cave, allowing Sephiroth freedom to move.
16. Sephiroth tries to block Holy
17. Sephiroth is defeated by Cloud, and all the Lifestream energy he had absorbed was released to the Planet.
D. The Anti-Hero Cycle in Final FantasyVIII
1. Seifer Almasy
Seifer is the only example of the Anti-Hero Cycle in Final Fantasy VIII. Seifer was orphaned by the Sorceress War. He was raised by Matron Edea Kramer. He left for Garden and became notorious as a bully there. He headed the Disciplinary Committee. His Anti-Hero Cycle begins with Rinoa.
1. Seifer meets Rinoa and the two have a brief romantic relationship.
2. After introducing Rinoa to Cid, Seifer comes to Timber to help her and the Timber Owls out. He kidnaps the President, and is taken away by Edea. He is assumed to be dead.
3. Seifer takes control of the Galbadian forces as Edea's knight.
4. Seifer challenges Squall in the age old "knight vs. mercenary" game.
5. Seifer becomes the leader of Galbadia Garden and Galbadia Republic.
6. Seifer learns that Edea is the same woman who raised him; Matron.
7. Seifer, following Ultimecia's orders via Rinoa after the battle with Squall at Galbadia Garden, uncovers the Lunatic Pandora and activates it using the Galbadian forces.
8. Seifer hands Rinoa over to Adel in accordance with Ultimecia's wishes.
9. Seifer is defeated by Squall and time is compressed.
10. Seifer returns from his sojourn as the leader of Galbadia. He takes back up with his old friends, Rajin and Fujin.
11. Seifer has learned his lesson and trimmed his ambitions.
12. Seifer is at peace with himself and his past.
E. Foiling Characters from Final FantasyVII
1. Tifa Lockheart and Aeris Gainsborough
Aeris Gainsborough
Tifa Lockheart
Loves Cloud
Practical
Cetra
Not afraid of Sephiroth
Honest
Trusting
Loves Cloud
Practical
City-dweller
Fears Sephiroth
Dishonest
Self-reliant
How the foils work: Both have deep and true feeling toward Cloud. Aeris loves him first because he reminds her of Zack. The two(Zack and Cloud)look alike, act alike, adn have many of the same mannerisms. Aeris, then, comes to love Cloud for who he is--a lost, confused, and broken man. Aeris can sense that there is more to Cloud than even he knows.
Tifa loves Cloud because they have a past. Cloud, after, he left Nibelheim, became, to Tifa, a romantic hero. She is a friend, but she has dreams of Cloud as something he is not.
Both Tifa and Aeris are practical. When a situation develops, instead of clinging to old morals and standards, do what must be done.(Ex: Wall Market)
Aeris is a Cetra: actually, the last Cetra. She has a natural affinity for the Planet. Tifa is a city-dweller; she is of the "new" race. Tifa has a passionate love for the Planet. Tifa's love foils Aeris's; it does not stem from nature--it is a choice.
When it comes to Sephiroth, the two split. Aeris, who lost her two loves because of Sephiroth, does not fear him. She is willing to face him. Tifa, who lost her home, family, and friends at Sephiroth's hands, is terrified of him; NOT because of his power but because Sephiroth can destroy Cloud by revealing her untruths.
Aeris is truthful. She tells Cloud about Zack, and about the Cetra. She even points Cloud in the direction toward finding himself. Tifa is not always honest. She continues to support Cloud's "memories" of Nibelheim even though she knows they are wrong. Both do this out of love.
Aeris is very trusting. She trusts Cloud, Barret, Bugenhagen, and Cait Sith. She has faith that the Planet will hear and heed her prayer for Holy. She believes that Cloud will never hurt her. Tifa is self-reliant. While she does look out for her
friends, Tifa does not trust others to help her. She relies on her own mind and abilties to get out of tough situations.
3. Cloud Strife and Sephiroth
Cloud Strife
Sephiroth
Scientific Product
Confused
Accepts Truth
Leader
Force of Balance
Loves
Trusts
Scientific Product
Confused
Denies Truth
Leader
Force of Imbalance
Hates
Fears
How the foils work: Both Cloud and Sephiroth are products of scientific endeavors. They are both the end results of the Jenova Project. Both are confused about who they really are. Both are leaders; Sephiroth and SOLDIER; Cloud and AVALANCHE. Cloud accepts the truth about himself and his past; Sephiroth denies the truth about himself and his past by hiding behind his "mother" Jenova. Sephiroth is an unbalancing force; he seeks to almost destroy the Planet in order to gain the power of a god. Cloud is a balancing force; he seeks to stop Sephiroth. Cloud loves; he loves Aeris, Tifa, and his other friends. Sephiroth hates; he hates the science that spawned him, the people of the Planet, and the Cetra. Cloud trusts his friends and his own abilities. Sephiroth fears anything that will stand in the way of his becoming a god.
F. Foiling Characters of Final Fantasy VIII
1. Rinoa Heartilly and Quistis Trepe
Rinoa Heartilly
Quistis Trepe
Loves Squall
Idealistic
Stubborn
Brave
Follows her heart
Sees others as equals
Had parents
Doesn't get along with family
Loves Squall
Realistic
Stubborn
Brave
Follows orders
Sees others in a mentor/student relationship
Orphaned
Didn't get along with family
How the foils work: Both love Squall. Rinoa, as a man; Quistis as a brother and student. Quistis has a history with Squall--they grew up together. Quistis loves Squall for his introverted nature, his confidence, and his "mystery." Rinoa loves him for his nature, his demeanor, his steadfastness, and himself.
Rinoa sees things for their potiental. She has high ideals and always looks for the best way. She will fight, but only when necessary.
Quistis is pragmatic. She does not try to change the world--she takes it as it is.
Both are stubborn--neither will accept less than the best. Both will stand up and yell at Squall. Both are brave and will fight for what they believe to be right.
Rinoa follows her heart--she is emotional and impassioned. Quistis, while having emotions, is logical. She does not get bothered by things unless a person is "acting a fool." Rinoa gets annoyed when things do not follow her ideals.
Quistis deals with people as a chain-of-command. She sees superiors and inferiors; instructors and students. Rinoa believes everyone is equal.
Rinoa was raised in a family (albeit, a dysfunctional one). Quistis was raised in an orphanage and later adopted. Neither got along with their family. Both leave their families.
2. Squall Leonhart and Laguna Loire
Squall Leonhart
Laguna Loire
Confident
Introverted
Leader
Hides feelings
Untrusting
Finds love
Ellone
Confident
Extroverted
Leader
Expresses feelings
Trusting
Loses love
Ellone
How the foils work: Both are confident. They know their abilities and how to use them. Squall is introverted and unfriendly; but Laguna is extroverted and congenial. Squall's sullen nature does not endear him to others even as Laguna's nature does. Both are leaders and looked to for guidance.
Both have emotions--but Squall shows his only under duress. Squall hides his emotions for fear of judgment. Laguna expresses his and is thus made a leader. Squall hides his(or at least, keeps them under a tight leash) and is thus looked to for guidance.
Squall is untrusting from fear of abadonment; Laguna is trusting even though he has been hurt. Squall's journey brings him to find love with Rinoa. Laguna's journeys brought him to love twice--Julia and Raine--but in both cases Laguna is taken away from his love. His duty takes him from Julia and she marries General Caraway. Laguna's journey to find Ellone took him from Raine and she died.
Both Squall and Laguna are connected to Ellone. Laguna is her "uncle" and care taker. Ellone is Squall's(and all the other orphans)"big sister." It is through Ellone that Laguna and Squall are connected.
3. Squall Leonhart and Irvine Kinneas
Squall Leonhart
Irvine Kinneas
Reserved
True to nature
Fighter
Impatient with Selphie
SeeD
Leader
Focused
Handles pressure
Forgets his past
Reserved
Hides nature
Fighter
Patient with Selphie
Not a SeeD
Not a leader
Unfocused
Breaks under pressure
Remembers his past
How the foils work: Both are reserved and not overly outgoing. Squall remains true to his nature and does not put on a facade. Irvine does play off his nature and puts on a facade. His mask is that of a lover. Instead of being compassionate, Irvine is in the guise of a player(though Selphie breaks that!) Both are fighters. They fight for what they believe in. Squall does not have much patience with Selphie. he sees her as a childish, immature, over-optimistic annoyance. Irvine is patient with her and geniuenly loves and admires her. Squall is a SeeD; Irvine is not. Squall is a leader; Irvine is not. Squall remains focused on his goals. Irvine has a hard time maintaining his focus. Squall keeps his calm under pressure and Irvine breaks. Squall forgets his past because of the GF; Irvine remembers his.