John Barsad

John Barsad is a character in Charles Dickens' novel, "A Tale of Two Cities".

Overview

Barsad is a turncoat English con-man and spy. In the pay of the Marquis St. Evremonde he initially frames the Marquis' nephew, Charles Darnay by planting evidence on him on a voyage across the English Channel to England. He unwittingly shows his hand to the lawyer Sydney Carton drinking in a bar on the night before Darnay’s trial. Under examination, Carton tricks him into recanting his testimony. Barsad then flees England and fakes his own death which Jerry Cruncher discovers when he attempts to 'resurrect' his body for medical research. Cruncher initially blames his wife's praying and thinks Barsad has been removed through spiritual means. When Cruncher discovers Barsad alive in Paris much later, Carton enlists Barsad's aid by blackmailing him to get into the prison to rescue Charles Darnay by changing places with him leading to Carton's eventual execution by guillotine. Barsad then brings Darnay out of the prison and back to his family. He is genuinely dumbfounded by Carton’s sacrifice - though not enough to change his own ways.

Cinematic and Theatrical Portrayals

In the 2008 Broadway musical adaptation of 'A Tale of Two Cities,' John Barsad is played by Nick Wyman.

External Links

* [http://www.talemusical.com/biographies.php?action=1&type=character&id=9 Character Profile of John Barsad]