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[[File:lighterstill.jpg]][[File:Foreshadowing.jpg|right|frame]]

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*Date: [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/16th_Century 1577]

*Date: [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/16th_Century 1577]

: to [[represent]], indicate, or typify beforehand : prefigure

: to [[represent]], indicate, or typify beforehand : prefigure

'''Foreshadowing''' is a [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Literary_technique literary technique] used by many different [[authors]] to provide clues for the [[reader]] to be able to [[predict]] what might occur later on in the [[story]]. In other [[words]], it is a literary device in which an author drops hints about the plot and what may come in the near future or, in other words, the plot developments to come later in the story.

'''Foreshadowing''' is a [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Literary_technique literary technique] used by many different [[authors]] to provide clues for the [[reader]] to be able to [[predict]] what might occur later on in the [[story]]. In other [[words]], it is a literary device in which an author drops hints about the plot and what may come in the near future or, in other words, the plot developments to come later in the story.

==Repetitive designation and Chekhov's gun==

==Repetitive designation and Chekhov's gun==

The hardest form of foreshadowing is the way [[things]] are implied by mentioning an element that will be used later in this story. Usually, it is mentioned in passing the character's mind or as seemingly insignificant. The best example is that of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chekhov%27s_gun Chekhov's gun]: when a certain setting is described, it is mentioned that a loaded gun is hanging on a wall. Much later on, this is taken off the wall and fired. To draw the [[reader]]'s [[attention]] to the otherwise [[subtle]] foreshadowing element, [[writers]] may often make repeated [[references]] to the object throughout the story.

The hardest form of foreshadowing is the way [[things]] are implied by mentioning an element that will be used later in this story. Usually, it is mentioned in passing the character's mind or as seemingly insignificant. The best example is that of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chekhov%27s_gun Chekhov's gun]: when a certain setting is described, it is mentioned that a loaded gun is hanging on a wall. Much later on, this is taken off the wall and fired. To draw the [[reader]]'s [[attention]] to the otherwise [[subtle]] foreshadowing element, [[writers]] may often make repeated [[references]] to the object throughout the story.

One of the earliest creations making use of the [[technique]] is the ''[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/One_Thousand_and_One_Nights Arabian Nights]''.[1] Early in the tale of "The Three Apples", the [[contents]] of a chest, where a [[body]] is found, are described in detail, only to serve as a [[proof]] of the killer's [[identity]] later on.

One of the earliest creations making use of the [[technique]] is the ''[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/One_Thousand_and_One_Nights Arabian Nights]''.[1] Early in the tale of "The Three Apples", the [[contents]] of a chest, where a [[body]] is found, are described in detail, only to serve as a [[proof]] of the killer's [[identity]] later on.

==Formal patterning==

==Formal patterning==

Another early foreshadowing style is ''formal patterning'', "the organization of the [[events]], [[actions]] and [[gestures]] which constitute a [[narrative]] and give shape to a story; when done well, formal patterning allows the [[audience]] the [[pleasure]] of [[discerning]] and anticipating the [[structure]] of the plot as it reveals itself.". In [[literature]], classical foreshadowing serves as a literary device whereby the [[author]] plays on common [[beliefs]] or causal connections that most viewers or readers will have some direct [[experience]] with, thereby causing them to anticipate a specific chain of [[events]]. In ''[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Romeo_and_Juliet Romeo and Juliet]'', both main characters state early on that they would rather defy their families and be in [[love]] than live apart.

Another early foreshadowing style is ''formal patterning'', "the organization of the [[events]], [[actions]] and [[gestures]] which constitute a [[narrative]] and give shape to a story; when done well, formal patterning allows the [[audience]] the [[pleasure]] of [[discerning]] and anticipating the [[structure]] of the plot as it reveals itself.". In [[literature]], classical foreshadowing serves as a literary device whereby the [[author]] plays on common [[beliefs]] or causal connections that most viewers or readers will have some direct [[experience]] with, thereby causing them to anticipate a specific chain of [[events]]. In ''[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Romeo_and_Juliet Romeo and Juliet]'', both main characters state early on that they would rather defy their families and be in [[love]] than live apart.

==Flashforward and red-herring==

==Flashforward and red-herring==

A hint that is [[designed]] to mislead the [[audience]] is referred to as a [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red_herring_(plot_device) red herring]. A similar device is the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flashforward flashforward]. Unlike a flashforward, a foreshadowing only hints at a possible outcome of the story, without describing it explicitly. However, the [[difference]] between these two techniques may often be very vague. When it is done in a skillful or "honest" way in a [[mystery]], however, many events which foreshadow the [[truth]] also work naturally at the same time as red-herrings at a more simple level, to lead the audience to a false conclusion. An example occurs in the [[film]] [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Sixth_Sense The Sixth Sense], in which scenes depicting the estrangement and lack of [[communication]] which occurs in the [[psychologist]]'s marriage, and his [[alienation]] from the world because of his problems, are later seen as clues of much [[darker]] significance (so much so, that some viewers were led to see the film twice, in disbelief at how effectively they were misled by character interactions which could be interpreted in two completely different ways).

A hint that is [[designed]] to mislead the [[audience]] is referred to as a [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red_herring_(plot_device) red herring]. A similar device is the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flashforward flashforward]. Unlike a flashforward, a foreshadowing only hints at a possible outcome of the story, without describing it explicitly. However, the [[difference]] between these two techniques may often be very vague. When it is done in a skillful or "honest" way in a [[mystery]], however, many events which foreshadow the [[truth]] also work naturally at the same time as red-herrings at a more simple level, to lead the audience to a false conclusion. An example occurs in the [[film]] [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Sixth_Sense The Sixth Sense], in which scenes depicting the estrangement and lack of [[communication]] which occurs in the [[psychologist]]'s marriage, and his [[alienation]] from the world because of his problems, are later seen as clues of much [[darker]] significance (so much so, that some viewers were led to see the film twice, in disbelief at how effectively they were misled by character interactions which could be interpreted in two completely different ways).

The television show [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lost_(TV_series) Lost] has made effective use of the flashforward technique, beginning at the end of season three with a twist ending in the episode "[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Through_the_Looking_Glass_(Lost) Through the Looking Glass]". The first flashforward which the [[audience]] sees is originally believed to be a flashback, as flashbacks had been the only way of telling off-island stories up until that point. So far in season four, most of the episodes have contained flashforwards, although flashbacks are still used.

The television show [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lost_(TV_series) Lost] has made effective use of the flashforward technique, beginning at the end of season three with a twist ending in the episode "[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Through_the_Looking_Glass_(Lost) Through the Looking Glass]". The first flashforward which the [[audience]] sees is originally believed to be a flashback, as flashbacks had been the only way of telling off-island stories up until that point. So far in season four, most of the episodes have contained flashforwards, although flashbacks are still used.

==Prophecy and omens==

==Prophecy and omens==

Foreshadowing can be carried out by characters [[predicting]] the future.[2] This may range from a woman predicting that her son will come to a bad end if he continues on his way, to a character with the explicit ability to foresee the future [[prophesying]] an [[event]]. Similarly, omens, such as breaking a mirror, can be used to foreshadow bad luck. [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northrop_Frye Northrop Frye], in his [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anatomy_of_Criticism Anatomy of Criticism], observed that such use of omens and foretelling are plot devices, independent of actual [[belief]] in foretelling for both [[writer]] and audience.[3] Such predictions can, like other hints, act as red herrings; even explicit foretelling may, by a quibble, come true in an unexpected [[manner]].

Foreshadowing can be carried out by characters [[predicting]] the future.[2] This may range from a woman predicting that her son will come to a bad end if he continues on his way, to a character with the explicit ability to foresee the future [[prophesying]] an [[event]]. Similarly, omens, such as breaking a mirror, can be used to foreshadow bad luck. [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northrop_Frye Northrop Frye], in his [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anatomy_of_Criticism Anatomy of Criticism], observed that such use of omens and foretelling are plot devices, independent of actual [[belief]] in foretelling for both [[writer]] and audience.[3] Such predictions can, like other hints, act as red herrings; even explicit foretelling may, by a quibble, come true in an unexpected [[manner]].

The earliest example of foreshadowing is the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Self-fulfilling_prophecy self-fulfilling prophecy], a [[prophecy]] that directly or indirectly causes itself to become true. An early example appears in classical [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sanskrit_literature Sanskrit literature]. In the story of Krishna in the Indian epic [[Mahabharata]], the ruler of the Mathura kingdom, Kansa (also referred to as Kamsa), afraid of a [[prophecy]] that predicted his [[death]] at the hands of his sister Devaki's son, had her cast into prison where he planned to kill all of her children at birth. After killing the first six children, and Devaki's apparent miscarriage of the seventh, Krishna (the eighth son) took birth. As his life was in danger he was smuggled out to be raised by his foster parents Yashoda and Nanda in the village of Gokul. Years later, Kansa learnt about the child's escape and kept sending various demons to put an end to him. The demons were defeated at the hands of Krishna and his brother Balarama. Krishna as a young man returned to Mathura to overthrow his uncle, and Kansa was eventually killed by his nephew Krishna. It was due to Kansa's attempts to prevent the prophecy that led to it coming true, thus fulfilling the prophecy. The 2006 Indian film [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Krrish Krrish] is a modern take on the story of Krishna.

The earliest example of foreshadowing is the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Self-fulfilling_prophecy self-fulfilling prophecy], a [[prophecy]] that directly or indirectly causes itself to become true. An early example appears in classical [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sanskrit_literature Sanskrit literature]. In the story of Krishna in the Indian epic [[Mahabharata]], the ruler of the Mathura kingdom, Kansa (also referred to as Kamsa), afraid of a [[prophecy]] that predicted his [[death]] at the hands of his sister Devaki's son, had her cast into prison where he planned to kill all of her children at birth. After killing the first six children, and Devaki's apparent miscarriage of the seventh, Krishna (the eighth son) took birth. As his life was in danger he was smuggled out to be raised by his foster parents Yashoda and Nanda in the village of Gokul. Years later, Kansa learnt about the child's escape and kept sending various demons to put an end to him. The demons were defeated at the hands of Krishna and his brother Balarama. Krishna as a young man returned to Mathura to overthrow his uncle, and Kansa was eventually killed by his nephew Krishna. It was due to Kansa's attempts to prevent the prophecy that led to it coming true, thus fulfilling the prophecy. The 2006 Indian film [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Krrish Krrish] is a modern take on the story of Krishna.

==Other examples==

==Other examples==

Usually more [[subtle]], foreshadowing works on the [[symbolic]] level. For example, if a character must break up a schoolyard fight among some boys, it might symbolically foreshadow the [[family]] squabbles that will become the central [[conflict]] of the story. Other times, it is seemingly inconsequential, with the goal of having the audience be surprised by the story's climax and yet find it justified. If a character learns that a certain man was a regular at the diner where her mother worked many years before, it helps to justify the events later in which she learns that the man is her [[biological]] [[father]].

Usually more [[subtle]], foreshadowing works on the [[symbolic]] level. For example, if a character must break up a schoolyard fight among some boys, it might symbolically foreshadow the [[family]] squabbles that will become the central [[conflict]] of the story. Other times, it is seemingly inconsequential, with the goal of having the audience be surprised by the story's climax and yet find it justified. If a character learns that a certain man was a regular at the diner where her mother worked many years before, it helps to justify the events later in which she learns that the man is her [[biological]] [[father]].