How might an essay effectively compare texts by different authors?

It can be easy to focus only on similarities when comparing two pieces of literature. However, it is always important to consider the factors which set the texts apart. For example: if the texts were written in different eras, then the context which influenced their publication would be different; if they are in different forms (e.g. a play and a novel), then they would be received differently by their respective audience/readers; if the writers were from different social backgrounds, then they would likely have a different perspective and authorial purpose. All of these points can inform the way in which we write a comparative essay.Let's take the example of Shakespeare's 'Romeo and Juliet' and Charlotte Bronte's 'Jane Eyre'. There are similarities which can be immediately drawn from a thematic comparison, such as the repression of passionate emotion, or the social influence over love and relationships. However, the two texts are very different. 'Romeo and Juliet' was written by an increasingly prominent playwright in the 16th century, performed to a diverse Elizabethan audience, and influenced by many literary sources. 'Jane Eyre', on the other hand, was written by the daughter of a clergyman in the 19th century, published under a pseudonym, and contains several autobiographical elements. These differences can inform the way in which we approach a comparison of the two texts. For example, although both tell a story of frustrated love, the social tensions which prohibit Shakespeare's lovers could arguably be a commentary of the contemporary violence of 16th century London, whilst the sufferings of Bronte's protagonist reflect the social limitations imposed on a penniless, Victorian woman. Considering nuances such as these can help develop a critical, considered essay.