Shelley and Shakespeare both find ways to complicate the way in which monsters are formed, meaning both Frankenstein’s monster and Caliban were not born evil, but made to be, by what has impacted their lives. In this essay I am going to be comparing the ways in which monstrosity is present within both texts through the characters of Frankenstein and Caliban. Mary Shelley wrote Frankenstein in 1818, a time when doctors were intrigued at exploring the dead. The theme of death runs through the overall plot of the novel. It was known to be a worldwide phenomenon in the Gothic horror genre; this is a great set up to lead to the themes of death, revenge, the idea of losing a loved one and the supernatural. These are all themes that also appear in The Tempest, written in the 1600’s by William Shakespeare. I will explore these themes throughout this essay to explore monstrosity.
Both monsters seek love, but it comes off in the wrong way. Caliban was once loved by his mother, but had her taken away from him from a young age, leaving him to suffer a cold life with no support and care. Caliban tries to get the attention form the only female on the island, Miranda, Prospero’s daughter. As Caliban was never taught what exactly is morally right or wrong, he attempts to rape her. this incident of course came across to be a monstrous attack but was initially an attempt of affection, it is undecided in story if he was aware that it was wrong, due to the fact that he had never had a female companion, one to tell him what was right or wrong and also he was so desperate for love from a females love.
Similar to Caliban, Frankenstein’s monster was also abandoned at birth, in this case it was intentional, Victor realised the mistake that he had made and left it as soon as he could, ‘’how can I describe my emotions at this catastrophe.’’ Later on into the novel, the monster unexpectedly turns violent, again seeking the care and affection he was never given. While Frankenstein is watching his creator, he see’s a young boy, victors brother, at this point he is unaware of this, he is warmed by the thought of having him as a friend and rushes over to him. like any child would be, he panics and screams out insults, commenting on his appearance ‘’Monster! Ugly wretch’’, he then mentions the name Frankenstein, which triggers the Monsters mind into realising who he is, as a revenge he strangles the child to death.
In both stories, Caliban and Frankenstein’s monster are known for their repulsive appearance. In the 1600s, Caliban would of been played by a black male, or a white man black out. this shows the attitudes towards the views of how a monstrous character would of been portrayed in previous times.
Caliban’s character was directed to be black, or ‘’moon calf’’ meaning his skin was black with white spots. This was intentionally done to alienate Caliban from the other white characters. Every character in the Tempest looks down on him with disgust due to his image, I feel that his monstrous appearance has had an impact to the position that he is in with Prospero, being a slave, along side his violent outburst with Miranda. As Caliban’s features are different to the norm, he is treated differently, he is looked down upon as if to be a wild animal, in some cases i find the his appearance is an outer shell to how he is on the inside and his monstrous behaviour, but when you feel this way in the story, Caliban throws the reader off by changing his attitude towards everything, in one circumstance he uses imagery to describe the island and how beautiful it is ‘’ Sounds, and sweet airs that give delight and hurt not.’’ Prospero also describes Caliban by saying ‘’not honoured with human shape’’ this is an example or literal imagery, automatically giving the opinion that Caliban’s outer shell is in some way perceived to be negative.
Frankenstein’s situation is very similar, Victor created him to be ultimate revolution in science, every detail of him was constructed to be better and stronger but the outcome turned out to him having the appearance of a monster. one example of how his image has interfered is when Frankenstein’s monster gets chased from a nearby village by its inhabitants due to his features. Linking back to the scene of Frankenstein’s younger brother, Shelley uses particular language features to describe Frankenstein’s monster, ‘’you are an ogre’’ this passage is an intensified use of imagery to exaggerate his appearance, the use of imagery is also used when the child says ‘’you wish to eat me and tear me to pieces’’ which also exaggerates monstrosity and evilness within the creation.
Another factor used to present monstrosity is their isolation from society. Frankenstein’s monster expresses his feelings by saying ‘’Who can describe and consternation on beholding me?’’ this quote is a prime example of how Frankenstein has been pushed away from other humans. It uses rhetorical questions, to show the creations helplessness in this situation. this is a way Mary Shelley has portrayed mental monstrosity, an example of alienation and frustration is where the ‘’Monster’’ meets the family in the woods, when not seen, he has no issue with the blind father, this example links back to his image.
Similar to Frankenstein, Caliban has also been a reject from society, at the end of the script Caliban apologises for mistakes that he had made ‘’What a thrice double ass was I, to take this drunkard for a god’’ everyone in the ending scene was given forgiveness by Prospero except for Caliban, who was then put back into the position of being a slave.It is as if this scene, Caliban has learnt to except his position in life, and the text uses derogatory terminology to put himself down, this scene is where i find that Caliban excepts his role within society, understanding that not only have his previous violent acts towards Miranda, his image, but now his mental state has driven himself to a lost world of monstrosity.
To conclude, in both novels, Shakespeare and Shelley manipulate language to present and bring out the monstrosity of Caliban and the Creation. They use language features such as imagery and derogatory terminology. The characters actions such as rape and murder are not justified but us as readers we sympathise for them as their conditions and lifestyles are some what horrific. Both authors therefore complicate the idea of monstrosity, through their work.
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