"This thing of darkness acknowledge mine."

"This thing of darkness acknowledge mine." The hideous progeny of Caliban and Frankenstein's Creature

Transitioning from Shakespeare's The Tempest to Mary Shelley's Frankenstein

An Introduction

The quote below comes from the Preface to Frankenstein, authored by Mary Shelley. She acknowledged Shakespeare's The Tempest and draws a connection between her text and Shakespeare's play.

“I have thus endeavored to preserve the truth of the elementary principles of human nature, while I have not scrupled to innovate upon their combinations. The Illiad, the tragic poetry of Greece, - Shakespeare- in the Tempest and Misummer Nights’ Dream- and most especially Milton in Paradise Lost, conform to this rule.”- Mary Shelley in the Preface to Frankenstein

Mary Shelley's life and writing shows connections to The Tempest.

Percy Shelley's Tombstone - showing quote from Shakespeare's The Tempest. Mary Shelly had a quote from the tempest inscribed on her husband's tombstone. The quote is from ariel's song.

Mary Shelly wrote in her journal that she and her husband, Percy, read The Tempest the year prior to writing Frankenstein. If Mary Shelly had recently read The Tempest, does it seem logical that she may have been influence by the play? In light of her mentioning The Tempest in her preface to the novel, it bears noting that there may be some common themes presented.

What are the elementary principles of Human nature present in Frankenstein that are also present in the tempest?

As you read Mary Shelley's novel Frankenstein- look for ways that it might correlate with characters, ideas, or themes present in Frankenstein. Below are a few themes that appear to be shared between the two stories. Feel free to look for more, as you work through Mary Shelley's gothic masterpiece.

The naming(owning our shadows)

Prospero and Caliban contrast with Victor and the Creature. Both Prospero and Victor possess power over the other character. The question of "ownership" pervades the relationships. When Prospero says at the end of the play "this thing of darkness, acknowledge mine," he is claiming Caliban. However, Victor never claims the Creature. Victor runs from the Creature that he made. In psychology, this is termed "owning our own shadow:" coming to grips with the darkness within, claiming our own shortcomings and flaws. Prospero "claims" Caliban, as a symbol of wrong-doing. However, Victor runs from the Creature; in a spontaneous act of abandonment, the Creature is left "unowned" and "unclaimed." Both Caliban and the Creature are fatherless. How much of their situation would be different if they had a father, if someone had "named" them and owned them? What do the stories allude to about bullying, the social outcast, the idea that those are are treated violently will in turn treat others violently? Compare and contrast the relationships between Prospero and Caliban with that of Victor and the Creature.

The need for community

Both Caliban and the Creature are cast out due to their differences. They do not look like or behave like other people; therefore, they are social outcasts. Are monsters born or are monsters created? They are one of a species. There are no other living creatures like Caliban, and no other living creatures like Victor's creation. They represent a horrifying distortion of nature that wrecks havoc on the human race. Caliban tries to rape Miranda. He plots to kill Prospero. He is a witch's child, a "misshapen knave," and a "devil." Likewise, the Creature (born innocent) is left to find his own way in the world. A scientific experiment, the Creature has no one to teach him. when he tries to encounter people, they run from him, and treat him like a monster. He cannot live in a community. It is the life without community, without family, that prompts his violent behavior. Both characters represent what scholars call "the other;" the character who is a social outcast, due to uncontrollable physical differences.

education

Literacy is important in both stories. Caliban says that Prospero taught him language. The Creature learns language as well, but not from Victor. While Caliban is taught, the Creature is self-taught. Either way, learning, reading, and speech has a presence in both stories. Literacy is linked to being civilized. Part of civilizing the monster is to teach the monster language. For the Creature, learning is what civilizes him, gives him the ability to rationalize and to plan. In addition, learning is important for Prospero. His magic (science) and his books are highlighted as part of what gives him power. Likewise, Victor goes to college, studies chemistry and biology. His knowledge and his science is what gives him power. Knowledge (symbolized by books) are what empower Prospero, and Victor, even the Creature, as he embarks on his own self-education.

the desire for a mate

Caliban wants Miranda as a mate. The Creature desires a mate. Both characters are denied the right to pro-create in the story. Both characters long for a mate, but are the end of a race. The lack of female characters in both text lend an insightful feminist reflection of the texts. Victor's mother is dead. Miranda's mother is dead. Prospero has not wife. Victor has no wife. Mirada is portrayed as passive and she is constantly put to sleep by Prospero ( a symbol of denying her knowledge). How is Miranda similar to Elizabeth, who is also sheltered and passive? Does Victor shelter Elizabeth in the same way that Prospero shelters Miranda? What is the consequence of not having strong female characters? Does that create an unstable balance of power? What are both texts perpetuating about female stereotypes or femininity?

there are no new stories; just new characters

Both texts deal with exploration of a new world. Walton explores the arctic regions, throughout ice and snow. Victor explores the world of scientific discovery. Prospero has explored an island. Ships at sea are central framing mechanisms in both stories. Walton's ship gets caught in icebergs ( a natural occurrence), just as Alonso's ship gets caught in a storm (a magical occurrence). The ships are central to the faming device in both stories. In the end of each story, the ships are the vessels for escape.

Both stories end with the crew and ship bound for a new land. Both texts echo a theme of exploration of water and land. Frankenstein is framed by an iceberg setting (the narrator, Walton, is on a ship recounting the story in a series of letters). The Tempest is set on an island. Both are isolated settings. Both can be viewed as gothic settings, isolated places that are hard to get to geographically. They are settings away from the rest of the world, symbolizing separation and isolation. The crews of both ships contain individuals who want to overthrow power. Walton's crew considers mutiny. Alonso's crew includes two groups who also consider overthrowing power (his brother Sebastian, as well as Trinculo and Stephano's plan to overthrow Prospero). The theme of a ship encountering mystical or non-realistic entities while at sea, permeate both text. Ariel is the non-human creature that interacts with the crew in the Tempest, while Walton's crew has an encounter with the Creature while at sea. The use of water as a setting and nature as a controlling dangerous force begin both stories.

Caliban and The Creature

"I bid my hideous progeny go forth and prosper...."- Mary Shelley

Consider how Caliban may have been an inspiration for Mary Shelley's Creature. Do you see enough similarities to warrant a comparison?

As you begin Mary Shelley's Frankenstein- watch this BBC video. It provides introductory material about Mary Shelley's life.

Appreciate

Credits:

Created with images by joansorolla Creative Commons site - "???" • tonynetone - "William Shakespeare" • ptwo - "3469" • cdrummbks - "frankenstein" • skeeze - "frankenstein monster boris karloff"

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