I begin with one of their most striking similarities and then proceed to discuss relative differences in the three men. I invite differing opinions and hope this discussion of my three favorite characters encourages similar works of cinematic analysis. (Helen in Houston aka AZARAD)
Most dazzling to the eye is the smoldering look each man gives to the object of his affection. These looks vary from darkly ominous in the case of Mellors, to light and playful in Sharpe's case, to the shy and fragile, pleading stares from Lewis. For pure heartbreaking good looks, an innocence and openness of expression, I think Gabriel Lewis is the winner. He is the one who steps from the darkness with no past, no reputation, a complete mystery, in a chance meeting with his future love object, acting for no reasons at all as her sudden and unexpected rescuer. How the viewer reads his looks depends upon the viewer. Are we cynical and suspicious like Laura or is the viewer a complete romantic like this humble author?
The physical attributes of each man are the same but how he applies himself varies. Mellors is honest about his lowly station and the elevated social position of her ladyship. He is completely realistic about his relationship with Lady Chatterly. When she wants him, he is quick to respond and direct, fulfilling her command while still respecting her as her ladyship in the morning. At the same time, he is a very potent masculine figure, earthy and unbridled like the black horse of her dreams. When his need for her was so forceful that he gave her little choice, I really wondered what would have happened if she had resisted in earnest. I'm not sure he could have controlled his passions. Luckily, Sir John and Lady Jane seemed to be in charge of the situation and no one suffered more than a rumpled appearance.
In contrast, Richard Sharpe is a romantic lover. He understands the concept of skirmishes with his lover, and then he dawdles, slowly removing his partner's clothing, making nights with him long and happy. He is always in control of himself, a discipline honed by his lifetime of soldiering. He is able to honorably deny himself favors of women who feel in his debt. He cancels those debts with a flourish of graciousness that makes the viewer even more inflamed by his sweet kindness. Richard Sharpe is the true knight- errant.
Gabriel Lewis is a knight-errant who has wandered into the modern world. His values and beliefs are old-fashioned. His damsel in distress seems to resent his presence as their relationship grows. She resents his assistance, I suppose, being embarrassed by her own incompetence. Of the three, Gabriel Lewis is the only one who begs forgiveness for his mistakes. He has far less ego than either Mellors or Sharpe. And he is the one who will suffer most.
The self-image of each man is unique. Sharpe's image changes as his situation improves but he is always a man proud of his own accomplishments. Never is he satisfied to rest on his laurels. Only good as his last battle, he has said. He feels the same about his women. He was deeply in love and consequently deeply depressed at the loss of Teresa. He did allow his head to be turned by a few Countesses because he considered them to be conquests of importance. He is torn to pieces by Jane and healed by Lucille. Through it all, he never loses his self-reliance, his courage, his pride or his optimism that made him an effective soldier. (He comes "close" but never really loses it!)
Oliver Mellors sees everything in terms of the natural order, even unfair things like social classes within his society. He is a practical man who does not fret over life's restrictions. Connie teaches him to question some things about life. She offers him a new freedom. He and Connie have a private world in the "wood" where they can "be" as they wish. Mellors never imagines himself Lord of Wragby. He never plots to get rid of Sir Clifford. Mellors never planned to "steal from" or "betray" his employer. A curious rationality concerning his behavior crops up. A dual loyality. Mellors is hard pressed to solve it. So he plans his escape. He does make a very practical decision and he takes the lead again. Lady C must chase her happiness and him!
Gabriel Lewis is nearly the opposite of Oliver Mellors. Gabriel is romantically gentle in all his dealings with Laura. He does the "right" thing in calling her a cab. He offers himself to her but he does not press her when she declines his offer. He showers her with flowers, excessively--a measure of his extreme nature. Of course, from her point of view, he quickly starts to smother her. She is very insecure of herself and extremely suspicious of men. I think she likes her friend Michael because he is honest about being just what she believes all men to be...total users. From a neutral viewer's point, she's a bitch and mysterious Gabriel is a faerie lover--not of this world! (Am I neutral? And, why does she pick guys with angels' names?)
Taken independently, without the spooky music, none of Gabriel's initial actions were inappropriate. He was actually quite reserved, in the beginning. As their relationship grew, he gives a few clues about himself. He said he was looking for his other half. He said he was patient and that he was always serious. His intensity regarding his beliefs was in stark contrast to the fluff around him. I think we get a feeling he's obsessing because we are picking up on Laura's feelings.
Things only get worse as she uses him for her own pleasure while casting him off if she's not in the mood. She is happy to have sex with him. He seems happy at first with such an arrangement but in his soul, he yearns for her as his other half. He sees himself as incomplete. He is questing, searching. He is the most tragic figure of the three men because he is doomed from the beginning. As doomed as Lancelot when he first saw Guinevere. And, like Lancelot, he fights for her. He envisions dangers and attackers coming from all sides. There is a fierceness in him and she can't handle it. Unfortunately Gabriel Lewis is not drawn with enough depth to answer all our questions about his real motives. We are led to believe that he is dangerous.
So, Laura rejects his love completely. Already emotionally broken, he succumbs. Whether he kills himself or whether she held the knife, she killed his will to live. That's something that not even Jane could do to Sharpe. Connie never had that effect on Mellors. It's easy to say that they were stronger men and probably more likeable for that reason. Even so, I liked Gabriel Lewis. He can lie on my couch for therapy any time he wants to...