Frankenstein Reading journal: Chapter 2

- Shelley delves into how Frankenstein's work in the academic world comes from his desire for knowledge. He states how he seeks the 'secrets of heaven and earth' this statement shows how Frankenstein wants to obtain the secrets of not just this world but a world unknown to man. This is knowledge that is above the knowledge of normal folk almost as if he wants to become superior than a normal man. This straight away draws resemblance to another gothic text, Christopher Marlowe's 'Dr. Faustus' in it the main character Faustus also wants to obtain knowledge above man, Faustus states how he wants to be 'how jove is in the sky' this shows how he wants to be almost godlike, which is quite a sacrilegious thought when you take into account the audience at the time. This is similar to Frankenstein's actions later when creating the creature. Both texts show how there characters fell from grace due to transgressing boundaries.

-The arrogance of Frankenstein is also introduced. He seems to despise his peers who stick to the framework they have been given and compares them to little kids 'picking up shells' rather than explore the seas. Frankenstein has a obvious sense of superiority and feels he is above them.

Frankenstein Reading journal: Chapter 1

- The character of Frankenstein is shown to have strong affection for his parents. Frankenstein even goes as far as to say that his parents made his life. This is quite a sensible idea and fits with the possible conservative tradition of the gothic genre. This timid image of Frankenstein, that Shelley purveys comes into contrast with Frankensteins character later on in the novel. We learn that  Frankenstein becomes bored of normal boundaries. This Frankenstein is before his fall much like the story of Prometheus.

- We also learn about Frankensteins childhood. He is from a wealthy family and is able to live life freely. However we find that he has had a fairly sheltered life. As readers find out, Frankestein shows interest in things which he should not. This sheltered life may be a reason for this. This idea of transgressing the normal boundaries is common within the gothic genre, this again supports the idea that gothic is a mostly conservative genre.

Act 5 Reading Journal

- The audience now see Macbeth has transformed into a emotionless character who has a very nihilistic view of life, describing it as full of 'sound and fury...' he does not even show much grief over the death of his dear wife. We are able to tell that Macbeth has become a broken man and the ambition and desire, which drove him to murder, is nowhere to be seen. The audience may however respect the character's desire to go to battle eventhough he is going to fail and meet his doom. It is as if Macbeth is going through somesort of task.

Act 4 Reading Log

-Macbeth has chosen to seek out the Witches for insight into his future. The Act begins with the Witches enchanting another spell in a group like they did at the beginning of the play, which signalled the dawn of a prohpecy telling of a new King to be brought about by murder of Duncan.
The Witches reveal to a lightly fearful Macbeth that he cannot be killed by man born of a women. This then surely means Macbeth cannot be killed by any man surely. However wit is obvious the supernatural presence of the witches ,although not interferring, leads Macbeth on to false ambitions as the audience sees during the climaz of the play.
-The fall of Macbeth comes into full circle when the families of Mcduff are murdered. Surely the Honourable and courageous warrior thatg Macbethw as to described to be at the begging of the play would only slaughter traitors and enemies of the king not innocent women and children.

Act 3 reading journal

-Macbeth and Lady Macbeth are now starting to disentgrate and are now fearing the consequences of their actions.  'look like the innocent flower, / But be the serpent under’t' this shows how they are actively become deceitful people, this further highlights the downfall of their noble character.

- The gothc feature of ghosts is used to great effect and shooks up Macbeth mentally. It also exposes his nature towards his kinsmen. This scene is quite a catalyst within the play as it is the start of Macbeths doom.

Act 2 Reading Journal

-The Murder of Duncan commences but does not take place on stage for the audience to see. This creates a eeir of secrecy which is expected from Macbeth and Lady Macbeth. It also represents how Macbeth is changing from a courageous warrior to having to move in secrecy.

-The Act also involves the scene involving the porter. This scene serves as comic relief but also is quite a significant role in the play. The porter is a shakespearian fool has insight into the plot of the play. He predicts the deaths and resembles the castle of macbeth to hell.

- We see the use of nature to portray the disurpting of natural order. Animals of their own kind start to turn on eachother. This is a refrence to the Order of power followed in elizabeathan times.

Reading Journal: ACT1 OF MACBETH

Through act 1 of 'Macbeth' we see the introduction of the main characters of the play. Straight away the readers/audience are exposed to Gothic aspects. One aspect is the introduction of the three witches. The character of a witch being a obvious stock character within the Gothic tradition. The witches are purveyed as some kind of inhuman entity and carry across a overt sense of the supernatural. They are seen as inhuman when encountered by Banquo and Macbeth and are referred to as 'inhabitants o’ th’ earth' this showcases how Banquo and Macbeth are perplexed and maybe slightly weary of the witches. This presents fear of the unknown something which is prevalent within the Gothic. These witches through there prophecy help awaken the ambition and desire within Macbeth, consequently act 1 can be seen as somewhat of a catalysis point within the play.

This theme of false ambition is solidified through the introduction of Lady Macbeth. The character is a peculiar portrayal of a women when you consider the context of the time it was written in. Lady Macbeth subverts the gender role by ordering around Macbeth. She is a far fetched from what the audience of the time would consider feminine, she even renounces her feminity 'unsex me here'. This is quite a weird notion and can be seen as Lady Macbeth summoning upon some kind of evil entity, something which fits right in with the lore of Gothic literature.