A comparative study of Sydney Carton in Dickens' novel, A Tale of Two Cities, and Romeo Montague and Juliet Capulet in Shakespeare's play, Romeo and Juliet
A comparative study of Sydney Carton in Dickens' novel, A Tale of Two Cities, and Romeo Montague and Juliet Capulet in Shakespeare's play, Romeo and Juliet, requires the reader to analyze various aspects that the transforming effect love can have on a personality. As we study each character, it is relatively easy to see that no matter how painful love can be, it is usually to one's betterment to have experienced it. Love affects each person differently. Some become more introspective, searching to better themselves for the sake of themselves or another. Others do not recognize what they are lacking in their lives until they find love. In either event, it permanently redirects the course of one's life. Or causes one to end it in some cases. We see that all three characters learn to love themselves better, to love others anew and in the end, make the ultimate sacrifice for their love for another.Both author's illustrate well, that a lack of love can have a profound effect on the behavior of a person. Whether a person has never experienced love by fortune or by design, the initial introduction of love into the personality can be intense. Dickens introduces Sydney Carton to us immediately after a trial, speaki
As each character experiences love for the first time, they react similarly to their newfound feelings. We are able to see how love can make our senses expand to others and the world around us. Sydney Carton recognizes that his love is unrequited, yet it's impact on him is no less profound, "...I have had unformed ideas of striving afresh, beginning anew, shaking off sloth and sensuality..." (Dickens 187). Romeo is no less affected by love, if in a more juvenile way when he states, "If I profane with my unworthiest hand / this holy shrine / the gentle sin is this; / My lips, two blushing pilgrims / ready stand / To smooth that rough touch with a tender kiss" (1.5.104-107). Romeo's transformation comes as he realizes that beauty is not just a physical attribute, but a deep, multi-faceted emotion. Juliet's feelings are awakened the night she meets Romeo at a masquerade ball. She has no experience with men and no basis for understanding, yet she is convinced that Romeo is her true love, As each character discovers the wonders and joy of love, they learn to love themselves as well. Yet each character chooses suicide to portray that love of another. It is cause to wonder if this is an expression of love [for one's self or another] or self pity? "My ears have not drunk a hundred words / of thy tongue's uttering / yet I know the sound. Art thou not Romeo...?" (2.2.63-65). Juliet begins to have feelings of self-worth above the basics of her station. She begins to recognize that her love has a value to another. Therefore, her own self-image is increased. Juliet's metamorphosis is no less spectacular or tragic. She too has been so deeply changed by love that she cannot bear to live without the man who brought it to her. When she discovers that Romeo has taken his own life, she too feels the depth of grief that can only be alleviated with death,
Some common words found in the essay are:
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Approximate Word count = 1281
Approximate Pages = 5 (250 words per page double spaced)
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