Month: November 2014

The theme of power and control is present in ‘ Frankenstein ‘ and ‘ The Tempest’. Both Shakespeare and Shelly explore these themes through Characterization, language and structure .I’ll be exploring and looking at all the significant feelings and plots behind the ‘ romantic movement’ and ‘ Gothic genre’ . The idea of power and control is reflected in the characters of  ‘Frankenstein’ and  ‘The Tempest’. Shelly presents the theme of control and power through her character Victor as he attempts to “play god” It’s his pursuit of power that causes him to create a monstrosity that over takes his creators life and gain’s more power due to Victors physical fear. Frankenstein is a creature created from dead flesh sewn together like a jigsaw puzzle of human parts. Victor Frankenstein is the mastermind behind the creation and becomes haunted with the unthinkable of what nature can produce. Nature proved to be more powerful than man. Playing God left Victor Frankenstein with nothing to love and a freak of nature.This is alike to Frankenstein due to Victor’s passion and obsession with science and bringing the monster to life. However the monster gained more than Victor due to his physical fear. This leads Victor to focus on the creation and this leads him to distance himself from the important things in his life ( family and friends ).   

 Ariel Shows total obedience to Prospero by saying he will do whatever he tells him to: fly, to swim, to jump into fire or to ride on the clouds in the sky. He seems to be afraid of Prospero and Obeys him out of fear. They have that Master and servant relationship. Prospero summons his servant Ariel , who greets Prospero as his ” Great Master”. He then gleefully describes how he created the illusion of the storm, following Prospero’s instructions. This indicates that he enjoyed doing it, and was willing to do whatever his master orders him to do. Ariel’s response to Prospero’s power over him is cheerful due to the freedom that Ariel wishes to gain.The scene of Act 1 Scene 2 demonstrates the subservience of Ariel and Prospero. Ariel creates the storm, as ordered by Prospero, then comes back and reports his success to Prosprero. Prospero then tells Ariel he has more work for him to do, which makes Ariel mad, as he was supposed to be freed from servitude to Prosprero. Prospero threatens him with more years to servitude if Ariel doesn’t quit his complaining. 

Prospero is able to control the spirits of the island. By using these spirits, he’s able to control Caliban as well. From looking at Act 2 Scene 2 where Caliban talks to Stephano, you can see him talking about how Prospero uses spirits to control him. He talks about how they will cause hurt him if he doesn’t Obey Prospero.  Caliban’s the son of Sycorax, a witch who had controlled the island before Prospero got there and took over. There isn’t specific enough text’s or quotes explaining how Prospero got control of the island, however ever since he landed there he has been the one in control of the island so Caliban has lost the throne and the privilege to control the island due to Prospero coming and taking over what belongs to Caliban and not Prospero. Shakespeare can present Caliban as fearful towards Prospero, due to him having that power and control over him. Propsero control’s some aspects of Caliban’s life. He controls where caliban lives, what caliban does, and where he’s allowed to go. Prospero cannot control what Caliban says to him. Prospero taught him their language, so Caliban must have heard it from Prospero first. Prospero controls Caliban in the only way he knows how, with ‘magic’.

” All the infections that the sun sucks up from bogs, fens, flats, on Prospero fall, and make him by inchmeal disease’ ( A noise of thunder heard) His spirits hear me, and yet i needs must curse.” Analyzing this quote there’s that tense fear towards the way Caliban summons Prospero and the Power that Prospero has due to Caliban speaking and Prospero being able to listen to his phrases. The thunder heard would represent that fear as well as the destructive power that Prospero has. Shakespeare ‘s attempted to use that thunder to represents the power that Prospero has as well as the fear that Caliban experienced to to him saying ” His spirits hear me”.

From exploring and discussing how the ideas of the ‘romantic movement’ are reflected in both texts; concerned with nature, human feelings and rebellion against society. Mary Shelly lived amongst practitioners of these concepts which influenced her novel, Frankenstein. She represents the monster as a romantic hero due to the rejection he must endure from normal society with this. Shelly is attempting to show the readers how many people in conventional society rejected those less than average or disfigured, just like Frankenstein. 

After the 5 year sentence, he stepped out of his nightmare and carried on walking without turning back. He was certain he was ready for a fresh start, but it was at that point that her words rang in his ears… It’s over.

“Look at me”, she glanced at him with tears in her eyes, “tell me you don’t love me” he continued. Nina paused for a moment and took a shuddering breath as her voice grew with strength. “You couldn’t have loved me while you were away. You never have, you never have!” Immediately he grabbed her hand and expressed himself with remorse. “I’ve made mistakes, yes, errors but that has nothing to do with love, it’s been a disaster but I’ve always loved you Nina, always”. She stopped, and turned her gaze down onto their dark shadow so as to hide the tears that welled in her dreary eyes. She knew that this had to be the end. “Stop” she replied, in a manner she hoped was stern, though he heard through the cracks in her trembling voice. “Go on; tell me that you don’t love me”. His words pierced her broken heart and all she could hear at that moment was the thunderous beat that was erupting in her chest. She opened her mouth, and with deep regret mumbled “I don’t love you”.

He gazed at the clear summer sky while the warm rays of the sun shone upon his beautiful brown eyes. He didn’t want to watch the love of his life leave; he couldn’t bear to see her go. Not knowing what to feel or say, he was frozen for a second and took a deep breath before gathering the strength to walk too. He walked puzzled, what had just occurred was playing back in his mind like a broken record – he couldn’t shake the thoughts that engulfed him. As he stared at nothing but the solid concrete ahead of him it started to rain. It rained so heavily that he could hear the force of the rain pounding the ground beneath his unsteady steps, causing him to increase his pace. It was then that he came across a river. A calm, clear river – much the opposite of the thoughts that took over his troubled mind – a serene place, with a certain air about it, that encouraged him to peer into its crystal waters. The rippled reflection that was before him was indicative of the way he felt. Torn apart by the girl he loved; he could not think straight once again. A surge of emotions overcame him and he stood there, in tears.

Alone she lay in her bed, wishing he was right beside her. ‘’Things happen for a reason’’ she convinced herself while sorting through old pictures. Her voice was quiet, almost silent so she could pretend to hear his voice, but at that point it was just too late.

Monday morning, the day that most people dread – and Nina was no exception. As she got up she took a deep breath and peered out of her window. The gleaming smile she was known for had faded and her heart was heavy as she got ready for the long day ahead of her. There was a sudden knock at the door, and although she had left him only a day before, her heart skipped a beat at the idea of it being Sebastian. Alas, and there he was; with a face lit up like a thousand stars. He could not hide his delight, though Nina’s demure did not mirror his. The lack of eye contact, her body language and overall aura was evanescent. Sebastian was keen to step foot in her apartment to sort things out however with the first step he took, he noticed the luxury which surrounded him. His eyes scanned the whitewashed walls and saw a picture of Nina’s graduation. It was then that the truth hit him, the sudden realisation as to why his relationship with Nina had unraveled came to light. Nina had rejected him with the courage and strength to let go. She did love Sebastian, but she had to end it with him, not because she didn’t love him but due to his education. Nina was a top dog while he was a little fish. It all made sense now but the question was: was he going to keep studying in order to save his relationship?