Monstrosity In Frankenstein And Marie De France

The theme of monstrosity has long fascinated readers throughout literary history, invoking a powerful mix of fear and fascination. This underscores the idea that appearances alone do not determine one's true nature and challenges readers to look beyond the surface to uncover the complexities of character. Monstrosity is a theme explored in both Mary Shelley's Frankenstein and Marie de France's Bisclavert. They both explore how despite a person’s outward appearance; it is their actions and characters that define them as a person. Despite their differences in setting, plot, and genre, they both delve into the complexities of monstrous characters and their profound impact on society. It compels readers to grapple with an important question: Who

Victor Frankenstein. As a young and ambitious Swiss scientist fascinated with creating life, Victor creates an artificial creature known as ‘The Creature’ through years of intensive study. Once The Creature is brought to life, Victor abandons it out of horror and disgust, neglecting his responsibility as its creator. Rather than nurturing and guiding his creation, he rejects it, which exacerbates The Creature's isolation. Dr. Frankenstein fails to consider the moral and emotional implications of his actions. Victor's quote, "I collected the instruments of life around me, that I might infuse a spark of being into the lifeless thing that lay at my feet" (Shelley 41), expresses his selfish desire to play God. His choice of words such as ‘instruments of life’, ‘spark’, and ‘lifeless’ thing all speaks about a divine power (himself) creating life without caring for it. Dr. Frankenstein has proven to be more of a monster due to his callous nature towards his own

Their mere existence forces both Bisclavert and The Creature to be punished as outsiders of society. This plays an important role to the theme of monstrosity as it raises important questions about what it truly means to be human. In Bisclavert, the monstrosity of Bisclavert, a werewolf, is attributed to a curse placed upon him. His transformation into a monstrous creature is involuntary and not a result of his own actions or choices. The narrative emphasizes his suffering, portraying him as a tragic figure deserving of sympathy and understanding. The curse and its eventual resolution through his wife's confession serve as a catalyst for the exploration of trust, loyalty, and the acceptance of one's true self. The Creature's monstrosity in Frankenstein is not innate but rather a product of scientific experimentation and the actions of Victor Frankenstein, his creator. The Creature is a result of Victor's ambitious pursuit of creating life. His appearance and subsequent rejection by society lead to his isolation and descent into violence. The novel raises questions about the moral responsibility of creators and the consequences of neglecting one's creation. This difference in origin shapes the themes and exploration of monstrosity in each