Comparison of Two Heroes: Sydney Carton and Macduff
...wly transformed Carton gradually starts to develop. Similar to Sydney Carton¡¯s early impression of insignificance, Macduff¡¯s character also has a sense if irrelevance to the core of the story in Macbeth. For the first chunk of the play, there is hardly any evidence of Macduff¡¯s presence or existence. Not until later does he appear in the play; his first appearance is in Act II, Scene III. Macduff finally shows up at Macbeth¡¯s castle to visit King Duncan who is, dead. As the other characters speak to him, Macduff¡¯s social status can be assumed. When he is greeted, ¡°noble sir¡± is added to reconcile his position. He is also described as ¡°noble, wise, judicious, and best knows the fits o¡¯th;season¡±(Act IV, Sc.II,).Unlike Sydney Carton, Macduff is formerly known to be someone with importance and in good relations with the king. However, without reading further into the text, it is hard to predict his upcoming magnitude and its influence to the outcome of the play. Sydney Carton¡¯s reputation of being a scoundrel is effaced when his love for a woman motivates him to sacrifice his life for her happiness, changing his unworthy character to a heroic one. His feelings for the woman, Lucy Manette, drastically changes his personality from a low-life, alcohol-drinking rascal to a caring, good-hearted man. Before, Carton distinctly mentioned that he ¡°care[d] for no man on earth, and no man on earth care[d] for [him]¡±. This statement is apparently no longer true, as his admiration for Lucy spills out of him: ¡°The utmost good that I am capable of now, Miss Manette, I have come here to realize. Let me carry through the rest of my misdirected life the remembrance that I opened my hear to you¡¦¡± (page 155) Carton unleashes his other side, the character of a romantic. He is transformed amazingly, feeling and acting like never before, with enthusiasm of redeeming himself. Just the sight of her ¡°call[s] the healthy blood into his face, brighten[s] his glance, and animate[s] his heart¡±(page 310). In the time period of Dickens¡¯ story, the French Revolution caused many unjust deaths to the innocent and Carton¡¯s friend and his lover¡¯s husband, Charles Darnay, was announced to be beheaded. Using his craftiness and motivation driven by his love for the lady, Carton saves his friend from death and courageously takes his place. In death he achieves a spiritual rebirth, thus his wasteful life is replaced with his most noble deed, as he says, ¡°I it a far, far better thing that I do, than I have ever done; it is a far, far better rest that I go to than I have ever known¡±(page367). Sydney Carton¡¯s heroic sacrifice for love and redemption ultimately restores the past for the other characters and creates them a brighter future. Further into the play, Macduff is also discovered to be an essential character. His loyalty and patriotism to his country, Scotland, and his love for his dear family triggers him to end the bad and start the good. The reader of the play and Macduff too has the knowledge that the antagonist, Macbeth, murdered the king, The sight of the assassinated king devastates Macduff deeply and he cries, ¡°O horror! horror! horror!¡±. Other than Macduff, there is no expression of shock, outrage, or grief by those present around him. His pure loyalty to the country somewhat sacrifices his family. Macduff leaves his family in order to support the king¡¯s son Malcolm, and his wife b...