Mr Rochester v Darcy, who is your favourite and why?

[saba]

For me it would have to be Mr Rochester without a doubt, from the moment i first read 'Jane Eyre' in high school as part of the english literature criculam i was in love with Mr Rochester and since i have read 'Jane Eyre' numerously and it takes pride of place next to my bed. Darcy on the other hand seems to me a tepid character in contrast to Rochester. Rochester i feel would not take in to account the do's and dont's of society to win the hand of his girl and he also seems a more passionate character,not embarrased to show his feelings physically and in words whereas Darcy seems tepid in contrast with his stiff upper lip and supressed emotions and feelings that he darent display bound by the laws of society and upbringing.

[Kristine]

You go, girl! I thought I was the only one who had Jane Eyre next to her bed.:)(And I knew I was in love with Edward when I read the song...) But honestly, Darcy is indistinguishable from Mr. Collins when compared to the wonderful, passionate, charismatic, godlike being that...*sigh*
Anyways, there are far too many reasons why Rochester is so entirely superior to Darcy so I'll just stick with one of my favorite quotes revealing their respectives stands on social station.

Darcy: "Did you expect me to rejoice in the inferiority of your connections? To congratualte myself on the hope of relations, whose condition in life is so decidedly beneath my own?"

Mon Edouard: "Your station is in my heart..."

But in conclusion, I cannot find anything remotely attractive in Darcy. Like saba said before me, Edward is far more romantic and passionate than Darcy; not to mention the personal magneticism and electrifying charisma that is completely absent in Darcy. Also, Rochester doesn't stoop to writing letters like a coward/Darcy. He talks to Jane. His proposals and apologies are heartfelt, especially when read after those of the insipid Darcy. The only things in which Darcy is superior in are looks and age; but a guy who fluently speaks le langue d'amour--French-- sings, and plays the piano to his 'bon ange' blows those superficial nonentities out of the ballpark.

And finally, half-open shirts are much more attractive and sexy than wet shirts.:)
(You'd have to see the Masterpiece Jane Eyre and the Firth P&P to understand what I mean)

[Patty]

I've always identified with Jane Eyre and Toby Stephens typified how I pictured Mr. Rochester, so he wins hands down. Colin Firth was also wonderful, and even tho I have a Brit son-in-law named Firth, I still vote for Toby's Mr. Rochester! And why is PBS doing a new JE with Ellen Page!!! No matter who plays Edward, Toby is THE ONE.

[saba]

Despite the fact that Rochester is not as good looking as Darcy i still find Rochester to be more attractive, personally my taste in men is more Gordan Ramsey than Brad pitt.

[saba]

Patty i totally agree with u Toby Stephens is how i imagine Rochester to look and sound like, there is no other actor who can or has done a more finer job, after watching Jane Eyre numerously i was more in love with mr Rochester than when i had read the book.And yes Kristine i also agree that a half open shirt is far more sexy than a wet t-shirt

[Georgia from Atlanta]

If the question had been posed before Toby Stephens portrayed Mr. Rochester, my answer may have been different. But he so enthralled me with that performance, it is impossible to see anybody but Mr. Rochester. His virilty and animal magnetism made the story come alive for me. Jane may not have been but I was "overwhelmed". Sorry, Colin.

[saba]

Virility and animal magnetism i like your choice of words Georgia the guy definately commands attention with his good looks and sexiness. But do think that maybe he was too good looking to play the part of Rochester becouse after all Mr Rochester is not meant to be a good looking bloke,the way Charlotte Bronte describes him he is far from attractive.

[Amber from NJ]

i just finished reading jane eyre for the first time 2 weeks ago. I LOVED IT!!! i thought i loved darcy. my heart now belongs to edward fairfax rochester. so i got the materpeice dvd from the library last wednesday and i have watch nothing and thought of nothing else since then. toby wins hands down. he is sooo amazing. i admit that when i got my p&p dvds a few years ago i was obsessed. it has since died down. and now that my time is up with JE i will mourn until i buy my own copy. i must agree that as i was watching rochester with his open shirt i compared him to darcy and rochester wins hands down. there is a great video that i linked. just too fun and i feel very true and deserved for our toby.
http://www.youtube.com/watch...

[saba]

I too have to admit that when Jane Eyre the drama series was first aired on the BBC i watched each and every episode without fail and watched the re-runs and then bought the dvds, Toby Stephens looked great in all that attire especially the tight breeches and the knee length boots-wowee he had me drooling.Grudgingly i admit that Colin Firths potrayal of Darcy was spot on as was Toby's of Rochester but when it comes to open shirts and sex appeal then darling Toby wins hands down.

[saba]

Uk Drama are showing the re-runs of Jane Eyre every weekday at two'o clock during the afternoon which means i am glued to my seat with a huge mug of tea and a packet of short bread-my friends reckon i'm absloutely barmy spending my afternoons glued to the t.v screen instead of enjoying the beautiful summer weather, but i cant help it, Toby Stephens has me behaving like a fool. By the way has anyone met Toby Stephens in the flesh?

[saba]

yesterday i watched Sharpes Challenge- again starring of cousrse Toby Stephens as William Dodd and Sean Bean as Sharpe, despite the fact that Toby played a negative role he did so very well-he was devilishly sexy and looked gorgeous as usual. His character the evil manipulative sword weilding William Dodd exuded confidance and sexual animal magnetism, u know girls i reckon i prefer darling toby in negative roles-it brings out his more sexier side-what do u think?

[saba]

where y'all gone! c'mon girly wurlys i want more info on toby weather(have i spelt it right!) old or new, i was right excited when i saw all the fab comments regarding toby i thought i'm not such a nut case after all when it comes to toby and his films, dramas and stage performances--theres a whole load of similar toby stephen nutters in the world--so come out come out where ever u are and start commenting! seeya later

[Amber from NJ]

hey, i've been on holiday for a while to colorado but i'm back now. i just watched the great gatsby with our scrumptious toby. i enjoyed watching him however the movie was pretty lame. his was the only acting worth taking note. the direction was also poor. but it was nice because he smiled sooo much. brilliant! if anyone has any other good movies with him let me know. toodles~

[serenity]

i have been watching the Cammomile Lawn every saturday on More 4 at 11'oclock, Toby Stephens as Oliver is brill as are the other actors. its a brill drama and i would definately reccomend it.It is the story of a group of cousians during the outbreak of the second world war.

[Biggirl53]

I started to buy the Timothy Dalton version of JE last year during a movie classics buying spree...then something told me not to. I was never much for Dalton and that weird dimpled chin of his. I got the newer version back in Feb. 2007, but never watched it until last week! Now, I HAVE to watch it every single day, not to mention all the youtube videos, a big shot of Rochester as my laptop screensaver, and pictures I have printed off and pasted up at my station at work! Toby Stephens is the absolute BOMB!!!

[Biggirl53]

I had seen Toby in Die Another Day, and never connected the dots with that role or him doing the best dang young Clint Eastwood imitation in Space Cowboys. Even without the dubbed voice, he was dead on!! I have long loved JE, and thought Goerge C Scott was second only to Orson Welles(Okay, I'm old!)as Rochester. Now I am ruined forever! There is no other Rochester but Toby Stephens! And I hope somebody has the sense to cast him in a new version of P&P..Ahh, Darcy with a set of real balls!!!!

[Biggirl53]

I can even see Toby as Major Brandon in Sense and Sensibility! I loved him in Tenant of Windfell Hall, but he was much younger. I prefer the older Toby. I am waiting to recieve my Sharpe's Challange to see him as a villian. Nothing is sexier than a hot bad guy!! Amazon has made a fortune off me in just the past 7 days!!!!

[saba]

oh girl then you sure are in for a treat Toby as the villian in sharpes challenge is sexy, i have watched sharpes challenge over and over again, and believe me he sure is HOT as the bad guy-he'll have u begging for more.And i agree with u i prefer the older Toby-i reckon some guys just look sexier as they age.

[Biggirl53]

Ah yes, I have just finished watching Sharp's Challenge for the 19th time! I was once all bent out of shape over Sean Bean, ok, I still have a thing for him, but the focus of this Sharpe is TOBY!! Dayyyyyuuummm, he even KILLS sexy! I knew he had to die at the end, but it was well worth the effort! I heartily recommend that dvd to any Toby fan!!!

[saba]

what do u think about the Bollywood movie 'Mangal Pandey' i which Toby plays a british soldier who befriends an indian soldier.