Compare and contrast Dr. Jekyll and Dr. Lanyon from The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde.

There are
few similarities between Dr. Lanyon and Dr. Jekyll aside from their friendship with Utterson and
the obvious fact that they are both doctors. Dr. Jekyll values reputation above character. He is
supposedly pious and does good works without understanding that it is not possible to live a
moral life without possessing integrity. He seeks to avoid responsibility for his actions. The
flamboyantly evil Mr. Hyde represents Jekylls darker side, but there is a slyness, weakness, and
lack of reason in Jekyll that has given birth to his ugly twin.

Dr. Lanyon is
a friend of Jekyll and Utterson and is the character in the book who is most wedded to
rationality. He withdraws from Jekyll when he perceives that Jekyll has rejected science and
reason. Jekyll turns to Lanyon when he needs reliable and dispassionate help. Contrary to
reason, Lanyon does not refuse Jekyll, and this has dire consequences.