In modern literary pieces, there are countless references made to other well-known works. The same is true for many classic literary works. Allusions are used to introduce and connect ideas through the reference of other external texts. The effectiveness of allusions in Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein and Shakespeare’s Othello is undeniable as they serve many purposes, especially in strengthening themes within the texts. The allusions used in both works provide insight into the characters’ conflicts in association with their emotional downfall to highlight themes of morality. The allusions in both Frankenstein and Othello aid in emphasizing the characters’ internal and external conflicts. In Frankenstein, much of the internal conflict in the
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Dr. Victor Frankenstein also struggles internally regarding many areas of his life, but his internal conflict revolves largely around the creation of the monster. The allusions in this novel are significant as they emphasize the struggles of both Frankenstein and his creature. Allusions are also utilized in demonstrating conflicts in Shakespeare’s Othello. The allusions Othello uses to describe certain conflicts highlights his dissension with Desdemona as well as his internal struggles. The contrast in the allusions used shows the escalation of the Othello’s internal conflict as well as his conflict with Desdemona. In the beginning of the play, Desdemona is often referred to as pure and angelic. However, as Othello begins to truly believe in Iago’s claims, the conflict between the lovers escalate. Othello uses insulting allusions to witches, prostitutes, and demons to describe Desdemona, making reference to her as a deceptive demoness and a whore in a brothel. (3.2.88-93) In the climax of the play, Othello has an internal crisis before he murders Desdemona. During this, he makes allusions to “Promethean heat” and Desdemona’s “vital light”, indicating that he still cares for her, …show more content…
When Frankenstein first begins his quest for knowledge and creation, he describes himself, “...like the Arabian who had been buried with the dead, and found a passage to life, aided only by one glimmering light” (Shelley 37). This allusion to adventurous Middle Eastern tales highlights Frankenstein’s character as an excitable and ambitious scholar, eager for knowledge. However, later in the novel, Frankenstein refers to his greatest scholarly project, the monster, as “a thing such as even Dante”, who conjures gruesome creatures from the nine levels of hell, “could not have conceived” (Shelley 43). This allusion emphasizes the scientist’s internal disgust and conflict over the monster. In an allusion to Coleridge’s “The Rime of the Ancient Mariner”, Victor Frankenstein’s continued emotional downfall is revealed as he expresses his fear and loneliness in the quote, “One who, on a lonely road, / Doth walk in fear and dread, / Because he knows a frightful fiend / Doth close behind him tread” (Shelley 44). Frankenstein compares himself to the Mariner who, ultimately, suffers in fear and isolation as a result of his actions in his search for knowledge. These allusions express and
Dr. Victor Frankenstein also struggles internally regarding many areas of his life, but his internal conflict revolves largely around the creation of the monster. The allusions in this novel are significant as they emphasize the struggles of both Frankenstein and his creature. Allusions are also utilized in demonstrating conflicts in Shakespeare’s Othello. The allusions Othello uses to describe certain conflicts highlights his dissension with Desdemona as well as his internal struggles. The contrast in the allusions used shows the escalation of the Othello’s internal conflict as well as his conflict with Desdemona. In the beginning of the play, Desdemona is often referred to as pure and angelic. However, as Othello begins to truly believe in Iago’s claims, the conflict between the lovers escalate. Othello uses insulting allusions to witches, prostitutes, and demons to describe Desdemona, making reference to her as a deceptive demoness and a whore in a brothel. (3.2.88-93) In the climax of the play, Othello has an internal crisis before he murders Desdemona. During this, he makes allusions to “Promethean heat” and Desdemona’s “vital light”, indicating that he still cares for her, …show more content…
When Frankenstein first begins his quest for knowledge and creation, he describes himself, “...like the Arabian who had been buried with the dead, and found a passage to life, aided only by one glimmering light” (Shelley 37). This allusion to adventurous Middle Eastern tales highlights Frankenstein’s character as an excitable and ambitious scholar, eager for knowledge. However, later in the novel, Frankenstein refers to his greatest scholarly project, the monster, as “a thing such as even Dante”, who conjures gruesome creatures from the nine levels of hell, “could not have conceived” (Shelley 43). This allusion emphasizes the scientist’s internal disgust and conflict over the monster. In an allusion to Coleridge’s “The Rime of the Ancient Mariner”, Victor Frankenstein’s continued emotional downfall is revealed as he expresses his fear and loneliness in the quote, “One who, on a lonely road, / Doth walk in fear and dread, / Because he knows a frightful fiend / Doth close behind him tread” (Shelley 44). Frankenstein compares himself to the Mariner who, ultimately, suffers in fear and isolation as a result of his actions in his search for knowledge. These allusions express and