I personally define a monster as a being, whether human, animal or something of another shape, that acts immorally, fiendish, and or vile. My idea of what a monster is isn’t defined by its looks or aesthetics because looks are subjective. My idea of a monster is defined by its intentions and its actions. Questions to reflect over when considering whether or not something is a monster would include, what does the monster do and can what it does be considered good or evil? Grendel, the first creature in the epic, was a beast driven mad by jealousy and envy.
Iago is often classified as the embodiment of pure evil to the farthest extent capable of being reached by human. Both Claudius and Iago plot against, torture, and cause the downfall of other characters in their respective stories to create and upkeep a boastful reputation. Both characters know that what they are doing is considerably wrong, but only Claudius feels any remorse for his crimes. They both recognize in soliloquy what they are doing and even discuss with themselves further planning. Iago manipulates all the crucial components of his plot with ease, while Claudius on the other hand is discontent and unhappy with the events taking place.
Loneliness puts The Monster in a mentally unstable position. He believes that he is a monster for the reason being he was created by one. In comparison, Othello’s betrayal is demonstrated throughout the play, but especially through Iago when he confesses to the audience his plan to manipulate and destroy Othello’s love life with Desdemona. Although Othello trusts Iago with anything, Iago hates the “Moor” and is willing to do anything to destroy him. Iago feels that the best way to do so is by manipulating Othello telling him that his wife is cheating on him with Cassio, who Iago coincidently hates as well.
Javier Acosta Dr. Rutledge English 2521 Is King Claudius an immoral monster whoʼs every intention is to do evil? To answer this, the definition of someone bound on evil and someone who is a moral weakling would have to be very clearly defined as different audiences have different conceptions of each. Readers of Shakespeare have various examples on which to judge immoral monsters, such as Aaron the moor from Titus Adronicus who claims “If one good deed in all my life I did, I do repent it from my very soul” (V.iii.189-190) When Claudius is placed next to someone like him, we have to judge with different scales. Not to say that the kings crimes are not evil, for they surely are, but to say his attitude after the crimes have been committed are that of a man who wants to repent but can not seem to bring himself to do so. A man whoʼs twisted conscious haunts him by placing him in a state of paranoia, confusion, and weakness.
In Shakespeare’s Macbeth the relationship between cruelty and masculinity is contrary to most other works of art. This play portrays women to be manipulative, violent, and evil. Macbeth, the play, breaks away from the stereotype that men are the sinister ones and shows that evil can, and does, come in many different forms. Lady Macbeth is the greatest evil in the play and is the mastermind behind all of Macbeth’s evil deeds. While Macbeth does the actual murdering, his actions and thoughts imply that he does not really want to kill Duncan or Banquo.
The narrator describes Claggart by stating, “his complexion…though it was not exactly displeasing, nevertheless seemed to hint something defective or abnormal in the constitution and blood” (qtd. in Smith). Smith helps explain that it’s not hard to tell that Claggart is evil because his appearance signals the other characters and reader about his evil nature. Typically, people relate outward appearance to inward characteristics, motives, and values, such as in Claggart’s case. Claggart’s evil-minded nature with “something defective or abnormal in the constitution and blood,” has always been present to destroy the plan of
Richard overcompensates his inferiority. Richard is directly influenced by a society that does not respect him, and so he does not respect himself or society. Richard is a slave to his devilish nature, and acts on his animal instinct throughout the play. These animal characteristics are emphasized by the various metaphors in the play. The other characters liken Richard “to wolves, to spiders, toads, or any creeping venom’d thing that lives.” Shakespeare portrays Richard as a monster and a beast.
The monster comes into the world by a pretty terrible set of circumstances. He has the strength of a giant, yet an infant mind. He has a gentle nature, yet his physical defects hide his goodness and make everyone fear and mistreat him. He is rejected by his own creator because of his hideous looks. His feelings are the most deep and moving of any character’s in this novel, as well as the most conflicted.
To the reader, it seems that Shelly consistently reminds us of the lack of responsibility on the part of Frankenstein, and the monster’s inherent innocence, who is only made evil by his circumstances. But like the reader, Shelley too, is unclear about whose behaviour is most unjustifiable and unpardonable. With reference to David Punter’s essay “Gothic and Romanticism”, Victor Frankenstein can be compared to the ‘Wanderer’, the Wanderer’s essential characteristics being that he is hero and victim both, who defies God by crossing the laws of mortality and dares to touch the untouchable. The Wanderer is never satisfied with the restrictions placed on him by an ordered society, and he ultimately suffers for his disobedience. Victor clearly fits the description of the Wanderer, as his obsessive need to create life and be its sole creator has a hint of an unnatural desperation to satisfy his ego and attain gratitude.
Bosola, the spy villain calls this world a "sensible hell" which implies a paradoxical state of being and evil generates evil and there is no mutual reciprocity of good and evil. To substantiate his caustic views Webster uses stark, poignant images of misery and hardships ("I am armed gainst misery") blood-lust, the digging up of graves by Ferdinand and cupping glasses. What is common in all these images is that there is a sense of mystery, secrecy and devilish nuances. He has also dealt with the themes of incest, lycanthropy and madness as subtexts to his main plot structure. He can be contrasted with Shakespeare in his work "The Italian Werewolf" where the wolf frequently appears on stage.