Category: Communication

Compare the ways in which Frankenstein’s monster and Caliban are presented as victims of circumstance within “Frankenstein” and “The Tempest”

In both “The tempest” and “Frankenstein” both Caliban and the Creation are presented as victims of circumstance, victims of circumstance means that your situation is a result of the events around you that are beyond your control.

In the case of Frankenstein and the tempest the victims of circumstance Caliban and the Creation are often rejected from society due to their appearance. In the case of “the Tempest” when Trincolo meets Caliban he is confused if Caliban is a “man or a fish? Dead or alive?” due to him being so deformed. He then goes on to say “people would still give a piece of silver to see him”, the language feature found here is dichotomy, where something is thought to be something good or something bad. The language feature means that Trincolo is unsure of what Caliban is and therefore infers that Caliban is utterly deformed. In the case of “Frankenstein”, just as the monster is getting integrated into society through a blind father, the father’s family come home. “Who can describe their horror and consternation on beholding” him”?” language features found here include a rhetorical question which portraits the utter shock the family was in on seeing this “monster”. So in both cases they are not accepted as people because of appearing different, the monsters appearance causes people to faint with a glance and Calibans appearance causes people to want to take him and sell him for “Silver”. This could appear to the reader as quite a sad aspect, the fact that only due to their appearance, people who could be joined into society, are rejected. At the time of the “The Tempest” and of “Frankenstein” people who looked different were heavily discriminated, whether that to do with race, ethnicity or general appearance, especially the black minority. They were abused, put in freak shows and were not able to be united into the white majority. This is one of the ways Frankenstein’s monster and Caliban are presented as being victims of circumstance through their appearance. Their appearance can also cause them to be abandoned at birth.

Another way the Creation and Caliban are presented as victims is through them being abandoned, in the case of Frankenstein’s monster he was abandoned at birth. The “Beauty” of Frankenstein’s “dream vanished and breathless horror and disgust” filled his heart, the language feature found here is irony, the fact that Frankenstein wished to create a beautiful creature, but that creature ended up being disgusting. In the case of “The Tempest” the “blue eyed hag” Sycorax”…did litter” Caliban. Language features found here is metaphoric language comparing Caliban birth to throwing away a piece of “litter”. Both of these quotes infer that both Caliban and Frankenstein were abandoned at birth. In “Frankenstein” this is due to the Creation’s appearance as I have mentioned earlier, which caused Frankenstein to leave him at his birth site. In “The Tempest” it is due to the death of Sycorax that Caliban was abandoned in his deformity on his lone island. Which causes both to be victims of circumstance as they have no control over their abandonment, especially with the Creation as he was abandoned at birth. This factor causes the audience to react sympathetic to the two characters, as people in today’s modern era would feel sorry towards loneliness. However at the time of Shakespeare and Shelly, children were sometimes abandoned due to their appearance or because of their gender, especially towards girls. This act still happens around the world in places like India and China. This abandonment factor is especially linked with Mary Shelly as her mother died on the day of her birth, which caused her father to become very distant from her, which almost caused her family to “abandon” like her Creation. Being abandoned at birth definitely presents Caliban and Frankenstein as being victims of circumstance.

Another way Caliban and the Creation are presented as being victims of circumstance is due to them not having a home. In “The Tempest” Caliban states that “this island is mine, by Sycorax my mother, which thou takest from me.” Language features found here is contradictory language, he states that the island is his, but he then states that Prospero owns it. Which displays that the island was his birth right by his mother, but then Prospero came and took his home and made him his slave. In Frankenstein, unlike in the Tempest, the creation doesn’t have a home in the first place, he says “my mode of life my hovel was uniformed” once again this is contradictory language as it portraits that his “hovel” which is a simple basic constructed dwelling, which could barely be called home and calling it “uniformed which implies that it’s a good home for the creation. I can therefore understand from this that the creation has never had a true home and therefore he constantly tries to find a new place he can call home. Both these examples of homelessness makes both the Creation and Caliban victims of circumstance as in both occasions it is not their fault as they have either had no acceptance or they have been kicked out. To the reader this could relate well with the lower class Shakespearean and 18^th century as the majority of them have been affected by homelessness, it would almost put them in the characters shoes, in the olden times people who were homeless were not recognised as people and therefore they too were victims of society. Mary Shelly also relates with the topic of homelessness as due to oppression she was kicked out of her home in England and had to move to Geneva. So therefore homelessness is another way both Caliban and the Creation connote being victims of society.

Yet another way both the Creation and Caliban are portrayed as being victims of society is due to them lacking in intelligent. In “The Tempest” Caliban is treated as “a most ridiculous monster” when Caliban becomes drunk. Language features found here include imagery, it gives the impression of a discombobulated creature by using the word “ridiculous”, this word also creates the feeling of dramatic irony as Trincolo calls Caliban “ridiculous” when they are both drunk and in a state of confusion, because of “The bottle”. In “Frankenstein” the monster states that he learned “The science of letters”. Language features here include connotations, it connotes that Frankenstein like Caliban is confused. The word “Science” connotes something logical and analytical, and the word “Letters” connotes something creative and abstract. Which shows that the Creation didn’t truly understand language, in addition this phrase could symbolise the brain as the left hemisphere of the brain is logical and the right side of the brain is creative and abstract inferring that the creature needs to develop his brain. But how does this make Caliban and The Creation victims of circumstance? Caliban, because of his intelligence already being low and alcohol just makes him even less intelligent, he can be exploited which is exactly what Trincolo and Stephano aimed to do, it wasn’t his fault that he was handed the bottle to drink, but he carries the burden of being abused. The creation is a victim of society because of his intelligence as although he is able to read and write, he is obliviousness to the real word at his infancy, which makes him susceptible to all the events that be-fall him. To the reader this could again relate to lower class people is the 18^th and 16^th century as people in those times usually weren’t able to read or write, people like this were usually exploited for work by higher class powers, but due to their intelligence they don’t have any other option but to follow them and almost be their slave. Intelligence at the time was costly, so the poor wouldn’t be able to afford the teaching son therefore there would be nothing they could do about, therefore making them victims of circumstance who could relate to Caliban and Frankenstein.

The final way both Caliban and The Creation are displayed as victims of society is through their power levels. For example in “The Tempest“, Caliban lacks power over Prospero and is taught to “Seek for grace”, This phrase connotes the relationship of a slave and his master, similar to the relationship of Caliban and Prospero. Caliban is a slave to his master Prospero and must “seek for grace”. Oppositely in “Frankenstein” the Creation with one phrase he switches power statuses with Victor, he states that “You are my creator, l but I am your master, obey” This phrase is almost contradictory as if you create something you should have full control of it, but in this case that is far from the truth, with this one phrase, The Creation surpasses Victors power and forces him to obey. This makes both Caliban and The Creation victims of circumstance as in “The Tempest” Caliban should have the higher power but, when Prospero comes to the island he takes power off Caliban rendering him weak, making him a victim of circumstance, to the reader this could connote the colonisation of different countries, for example when Britain came to the Indies in the 16^th century, they shouldn’t have been the ones with power, but as they colonised the indies they gained more and more power becoming dominant over the natives in their own country, which is exactly what happened to Caliban, being dominated is no fault of a country if the invading country has an absolute advantage in weaponry therefore making Caliban demonstrate being a victim of society. The Creation is a victim of circumstance as he arguably shouldn’t have the power that he had, but because of the way he was built he was made to have that power, which is, Shelly’s way of saying that a child with huge mental and physical potential, if they were born in a lower class family they wouldn’t be able to unlock their full potential, this is no fault of their own, as no one can control where you are born which would therefore make the Creation connote being a victim of circumstance.

In conclusion through Homelessness, power struggles, appearance, intelligence and abandonment in both “The Tempest” and “Frankenstein” through Caliban and The Creation we can tell that these characters are and represent being “Victims of circumstance”.

One school day. A boy named Jacob was sitting in class, doing math. It was a couple more minutes until after school. As he was finishing his last sum something caught his eye.

What he saw was out of the window. He turned and glanced at the park outside. It appeared to be a photo. Immediately after the final school bell rang, he ran to the spot where he saw it. He felt extremely eager to know what it was. He blitsed like a speeding car to the picture, assuring that no one else could grab it.

He picked it up and smiled. It had a picture of the most beautiful girl he had ever layed eyes upon. She had a red dress that flowed like a waterfall of liquid velvet. With tights on that fitted to perfection. A pair of crimson stilettos that were a fit for a goddess and long glistening dark hair. Her hand was formed into a peace sign, smiling.

She was so georgeous he wanted to meet her, he was obviously love struck. As soon as he layed eyes on that her; she was Jacob’s reason to live, she was the air he breathed, she was energy he needed, she was the only image he could imagine. Thus he couldn’t live without her. Therefore he ran all over the school and asked everyone if they knew her or have ever seen her before. But everyone he asked said “No”. He even began interrogating random people on the street but the response was always the same. He was devastated.

When he was home, he queried his older sister if she knew the girl, but unfortunately she also responded with the word “No”. It was very late; so Tom ascended his staircase, placed the picture on his bedside table and went to sleep.

In the middle of the night Tom was awakened by a light tap on his window, it was like the tapping of a nail. He got scared. He felt sudden vibration throughout his organs and his heart was going ten rounds with his chest. After the tapping he heard a giggle, which made his mind secrete sweat in terror. He saw a shadow near his window, marking the outline of a person. He cautiously got out of his bed and walked toward his window. He opened it up and searched for the source of the creepy laughter. By the time he reached it, it was gone.

The next day, he forgot about his earlier encounter with the unknown and ergo he persisted in asking people about the girl. He asked his neighbours, he asked the postman. Everybody said, “Sorry don’t know” When his mother came home he even begged her if she had met her, (this was his last resort as he knew his mum wouldn’t like him to start dating at his age) She said “I have never seen her”; with a look of slight sense of soreness on her face. Jacob saw this as a warning. He dashed to his room, placed the picture under his pillow this time and dozed off.

Once again he was awakened by a tapping. He took the picture and followed the giggling. He crept downstairs and opened his front door. He walked across the road. When suddenly, BANG! he got hit by a car. He was dead on collision with the 40mph going car he collapsed lifeless to the ground with the picture in his hand.

The driver got out of the car, shocked, and tried to help him, but it was too late. Suddenly he saw the picture and picked it up.

He saw a cute girl holding up three fingers…smiling.

Analyse why teenagers behave in a certain way

The teenage years are one of the toughest parts of life. Your body is changing and you gain more independence. You’ve now made a leap from Primary school to Secondary school. These aspects fused together would therefore mean that your behavior would change as well. This report is an argument of why teenagers behave in a certain way and how this change is not the teens intention.

The first reason I believe is purely biological. During the adolescence period, boys and girls produce hormones, which alter their behavior. For example they could have much more attitude, especially towards higher powers, e.g parents, teachers etc. In addition these hormones could make them a lot more moody, which then could lead to tantrums. At this point in their lives they would usually push away from their parents, expressing their independence. Everyone has seen movies where the moody teen isolates themselves from their families. The attitude boost from puberty allows them to “chat back” to their teachers and parents, which was unheard of at the primary age. As a teen would you be obedient and not question what you’re told? Therefore the teens behavior has change unintentionally, through their biological make up.

Some people would disagree with me as they may have witnessed a teens who are very close with their parents. Thus do not isolate themselves from their families; also some teens can respect their teachers as well as their decisions. So obviously they would not “chat back”. In addition some teens have no attitude towards higher power, and always do what they are told. So how can biological issues change the way our teens behave?…the answer to that is that it is not just biological issues, it is also to do with peer pressure, which again is not the fault of the teen.

“So” another factor that I believe affects how teenagers behave is peer pressure. Peer pressure makes the hormonal factor more affective. Peer pressure gives you the insentive to change your behaviour, emphasising the hormonal the factor. You’ve just left Primary school. You’ve advanced to secondary school. Your friends hang around with you much more often, before school and after school and your parents would not need to pick you up. “Therefore” where would your main behavioral influence come from; your friends, your behavior is changing along side your friends as you are usually the same age. That means that if your friends behavior changes then your behavior changes. Examples of this is when teens use the phrase “fam” which is a slang term for friend, which has been passed on between friends and now the majority of teens in London now use that word. So if peers can alter the way you speak they can be more than able to change the way you behave. Therefore the teens behavior could change due to friends and not intentionally.

Some people may disagree with me as they may have witnessed a teen who’s behaviour cannot be influenced by friends. Keeping their behavioural stregths and weaknesses. If that is not the case they model for their friends, positively or negatively. Possibly the greatest reason why you should “choose your friends wisely” so if you choose good friends you would, therefore, end up being as good as your friend. So peer pressure can definitely alter a teen’s behaviour. However another factor that affects a teens behaviour is bullying.

“Bullying” is a much more stronger form of peer pressure, teens could be forced to change their behaviour, instead of just being influenced. Bullys can judge and ridicule teens who behave differently or who act in an alternate way, making them change their ways to suit their own personality. Some people may disagree with me as they may believe that some students do not get bullied, therefore their behaviour wouldn’t get adapted. However their behaviour would still be affected by peer pressure and biological issues. So this is why teens change their behaviour, unintentionally.

In conclusion teens change their behaviour not due to their own will but due to biological and social issues spanning from the negative aspect of bullying. To the plus factor of positive reinforcements that sprout from peer pressure. So it would be therefore almost impossible to escape the change in behaviour if you were a teen.

Dear Isabelle Kerr

I do not agree with your statement about how our language has become “linguistic calamities”. An organism adapts when introduced to new environments over time. Costant stimulus causes the organism to evolve whether that be a mild alteration or a huge change in its biochemistry. If you did not understand that analogy, I’m in fact referring to language and how it changes to suite our traditions over periods of time. So it doesn’t die out, this can happen over thousands of years or it could happen in a matter of days. For example before the new generations “colloquial” language there were many alterations on Shakesperean English, we don’t hear words like “abatement” or “garbois” used very often this century. In addition the great father of modern english Shakespere created his own form of slang so I disagree that he will be turning in his grave. That is because, what you refuse to understand is that people change, and with that language changes, if it doesn’t change language would just die out,

I totally disagree with the statement that traditional youth slang is a “pitiful emblem” due to the fact that it’s just that; a tradition. Traditions change language like a TV remote changes channels. For example traditions have shaped the way we speak to each other. In Victorian England the lower class often spoke in Victorian slang with words like “tom tug” meaning idiot, but then tradition brought the upper class and lower class closer together which then caused language for the upperclass and the lower class to adapt to become similar with each other.

Now that brings me on to our generation, what tradition has caused an alteration in language, the Internet, arguably the greatest invention of this centuary and the greatest influence to culture, it has allowed language to evolve rapidly so change is obvious, hence your rant. When a creature evolves slowly, change is not really detected by others, however when a creature evolves quick, it is easily seen as something very different and thus easier to criticise.

However what we can both agree on is the “sexually provocative” “twerking” I agree that this kind of dance is not suitable. Which to an extent makes me too “embarrassed and ashamed” however this craze has taken “centre stage” thus it will die out like other popular crazes in the past.

When you critisise teens not using vowels in certain words, this could just be to shorten the word in text e.g the word “seriously”. You see what I’m inferring is that just cause language is changing as quick as traditions, does not mean it’s a bad thing even if that language is seen as “fugly” in your eyes, oh and by the way, youths barely use the words “butters” see how quick language is evolving.

I do not agree that these new additions to language are “bizarre, nonsensical or downright pointless”. So what if Oxford dictionary is giving some of these words like “selfie, unlike, digital detox, food baby” a degree of permanence, it means that our language is being noticed as advancing and being accepted. Youths are the futre, why can’t their language be celebrated rather than critisised? Youths shouldn’t be brainwashed into only using your so called “language of literary triumph” they should be free to use slang. In addition you state that these words are pointless, which is a ridiculous statement as some of these words make up a teens ideolect with their companions. So therefore how is it pointless.You also stated that new words should allow teens to “express themselves”, newsflash they do they express their individuality.  As I stated earlier it’s a way to keep the English language alive, to keep the species alive or else it could just go extinct.

As you can see I feel very strongly about this topic this is due to the fact that I’ve lived to see language change as people have changed, it’s a literary phenomenon which I believe should be accepted not hated.

Your Sincerely Jaber kabiri

Jaber Kabiri Coursework: Analyse why teenagers behave in a certain way

The teenage years are one of the toughest parts of life, your body is changing and you gain more indepencence, from making the leap up from Primary school to Secondary school, these aspects fused together, therefore means that your behavior would change as well. This report is an analysis of why teenagers behave in a certain way.

The first reason I believe is purely biological. during the adolescence period Boys and Girls produce hormones, which alter their behavior, for example they could have much more attitude, especially towards higher powers, e.g parents, teachers etc. In addition these hormones could make them a lot more moody, which then could lead to tantrums. At this point in their lives they would usually push away from their parents, expressing their independence, everyone has seen movies where the moody teen, isolates themselves from their families. The attitude boost from puberty allows them to “chat back” to their teachers and parents, which was unheard of at the primary age.

Some people would disagree with me as they may have witnessed a teens who are very close with their parents and thus do not isolate themselves from their families, also some teens can respect their teachers as well as their decisions, so obviously they would not “chat back”. In addition some teens have no attitude towards higher power, and always do what they are told, so how can biological issues change the way our teens behave?…the answer to that is that it is not just biological issues, it is also to do with peer pressure.

“So” another factor that I believe affects how teenagers behave is peer pressure: You’ve just left Primary school , you have advanced to Secondary school, your friends hang around with you much more often, before school and after school, and your parents would not need to pick you up. “Therefore” where would your main behavioral influence come from, your friends, your behavior is changing along side your friends as you are usually the same age. That means that if your friends behavior changes then your behavior changes, examples of this is when teens use the phrase “fam” which is a slang term for friend, which has been passed on between friends, and now the majority of teens in London now use that word, so if peers can alter the way you speak they can be more than able to change the way you behave.

Some people may disagree with me as they may have witnessed a teen who’s behaviour cannot be influenced by friends, keeping their behavioural stregths and weaknesses, however if that is not the case, they role model for their friends, positively or negatively, that’s why you “choose your friends wisely” so if you choose good friends you would, therefore, end up being as good as your friend. So peer pressure can definitely alter a teen’s behaviour. However another factor that affects a teens behaviour is bullying.

“Bullying” is a much more stronger form of peer pressure, teens could be forced to change their behaviour instead of just being influenced. Bullys can judge and ridicule teens who behave differently or who act in an alternate way, making them change their ways to suit their own personality. Some people may disagree with me as they may believe that some students do not get bullied and therefore their behaviour wouldn’t get adapted, however their behaviour would still be affected by peer pressure and biological issues. So this is why teens change their behaviour

In conclusion teens change their behaviour due to biological and social issues spanning from the negative aspect of bullying, to the plus factor of positive reinforcements that sprout from peer pressure. So it would be therefore almost impossible to escape the change in behaviour if you were a teen.

“The surface was uneven”

when a surface is uneven that usually parallels to something that is unfinished, or needs sorting out, for example the feeling of guilt, when you feel guilty your “uneven” conscious would encourage you to do the right thing and even your conscious out, so therefore, this quote portraits Victors guilt

“Sea of ice”

the sea of ice, portraits that all Victor sees is endless fields of ice, it displays that all that Victor sees is frozen and still, everywhere he sees, all he sees is guilt, in addition ice is cold, and cold usually infers a frozen concious which usually means that Victor is in guilt, not only a puddle of guilt, not a lake of guilt, a sea of guilt