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 …

…for another. Each of the characters has done that. Carton gave his life for the lives of Lucie and her family, Romeo for Juliet and Juliet for Romeo. Is this true nature of love? Does it have to be so devastating in the end? The authors would have one believe it is so. That to truly understand the magnitude of effects of love on the human condition, one must be prepared to forfeit it all.