/
Analysis of Matthew G. Lewis’s The Monk Analysis of Matthew G. Lewis’s The Monk

Analysis of Matthew G. Lewis’s The Monk - PowerPoint Presentation

natalia-silvester
natalia-silvester . @natalia-silvester
Follow
440 views
Uploaded On 2016-03-14

Analysis of Matthew G. Lewis’s The Monk - PPT Presentation

What is the Gothic No clear definition exist for it The importance of atmosphere Medievalesque settings Haunted Castles Importance of architecture Heavy Symbolism Psychological aspects Why The Monk ID: 255393

catholic matilda nature ambrosio matilda catholic ambrosio nature statue thunder archetypes statues power themes gothic authority anti conclusion women

Share:

Link:

Embed:

Download Presentation from below link

Download Presentation The PPT/PDF document "Analysis of Matthew G. Lewis’s The Mon..." is the property of its rightful owner. Permission is granted to download and print the materials on this web site for personal, non-commercial use only, and to display it on your personal computer provided you do not modify the materials and that you retain all copyright notices contained in the materials. By downloading content from our website, you accept the terms of this agreement.


Presentation Transcript

Slide1

Analysis of Matthew G. Lewis’s The MonkSlide2
Slide3

What is the Gothic?

No clear definition exist for it

The importance of atmosphere

Medievalesque settings

Haunted Castles - Importance of architecture

Heavy Symbolism

Psychological aspectsSlide4
Slide5

Why The Monk?

One of the e

arliest

example of the

genre

(1796)

Origin of

Gothic conventions

Social

comments of that timeReligion

Human natureSlide6
Slide7

Short Summary of characters

Ambrosio: a monk, tempted by the devil

Pieous Christian; later: rapist and murderer

Matilda: seductress, agent of Lucifer

Tempter of Ambrosio

Lorenzo and Raymond: cavaliers,

The ‘good guys’

Agnes: nun, lover of Raymond

Damsel in distressSlide8

Matilda

Name:Gothic origin, meaning ‘brave in battle’

Suggests barbaric, pagan connections

Two conflicting sides:

Supernatural: manipulative and ruthless

Human: signs of genuine emotionSlide9

Matilda as a Faustian agent

Like

Mephisto

in Faust, she is

a companion and adviser

a granter of power for servitude

a master of human

nature

manipulativeSlide10

Comparison with Faust: differences

Matilda

Occasionaly

genuine emotions

Sexual charm

Frees instincts (ID)

Mephisto

(Faust)

No

genuinity

: 100% manipulation

Intellectual charm

Frees consciousness (Superego)Slide11

Archetypes

Male

Sky (Uranos, Zeus, Thor)

Wind and thunder: Action and change

Female

Earth (Gaia,

Anann

)

Nature: Preservation and nurturingSlide12

Archetypes

Conclusion: In the traditions of fiction

men act

women

are acted

upon

Exception: when women

act

,

it is either

FoolishWickedOr BothSlide13

Archetypes

Male

Lorenzo and Christoval: Cavaliers, medievalesque morality

Ambrosio: Man of authority, corrupted soul

Female

Antonia: angelic, innocent and helpless

Agnes: passive sufferer

Matilda: woman of action, wicked natureSlide14

Ambrosio as a sky god

Strict and erect posture

Like a statue

Clear authority, detached worldview

He views himself above ordinary people

Voice and oratory described as thundery

Calm, but full of destructive potentialSlide15

Motif of Thunder

He

inveighed against the vices of humanity, and described the punishments reserved for them in a future state. Every Hearer looked back upon his past offences, and trembled: The

Thunder seemed to roll...’

‘His words sounded like

thunder

to her ears: ‘

‘As He

thundered out these words, He violently grasped Antonia's arm, and spurned the earth with delirious fury.’Slide16

Changes in Ambrosio

Matilda seduces him

 His

subconscious is freed

He is drawn to Lucifer

He gains supernatural power, but becomes a slave to it.

He loses the will to make active decisions

He becomes like fire: destructive and ravaging, but controllableSlide17

Antonia’s rape scene

The

effects which it had already produced permitted not his doubting its success in

prolonging the slumbers of his devoted Mistress. No sooner was the enchantment performed than He considered her to be

absolutely in his power

, and his

eyes flamed

with lust and impatience

.

’Slide18

IncubusSlide19

Raymond meets the Bleeding Nun

A figure entered, and drew near my Bed with solemn measured steps. With trembling apprehension I examined this midnight Visitor. God Almighty! It was the Bleeding Nun!’

‘My blood was frozen in my veins. I would have called for aid, but the

sound expired ere it could pass my lips. My nerves were bound up in impotence, and I remained in the

same attitude inanimate as a Statue

. ‘Slide20

Sleep Paralysis

State between wakefullness and rest

Muscle weakness, inability to move

Hallucinations

, often nightmarish in nature

Cultural connection: visions that are possible sources of legendsSlide21
Slide22
Slide23
Slide24

Reasons of downfall

Ambrosio

Indecisive

Refuses to escape his situation

Integrity

crisis: does not seek solution

Lose of authority

Matilda

Makes plans and schemes

She controls what to see (Cavern scene: light carrier)

Practicer of witchcraft: evil power

Maker of dealsSlide25

Reasons of downfall

Conclusion

Ambrosio is too passive for a man

Matilda is too active for a womanSlide26

Anti-Catholic themes

Gothic cathedral, Catholic symbol

Beacon of light and the heavens; visual appeal

But monstrous and sinister at night

Metaphor for the Church: extravagant, but corruptSlide27

Anti-Catholic themes: StatuesSlide28

Anti-Catholic themes: Statues

‚Strategically’ placed for the most important scenes

Constant reminders of Catholic Authority

They are like a ‚divine surveillance

system’

Eyes of God or eyes of the Church?

Praying to statues of saints

 Idolatry, superstitionSlide29

Anti-Catholic themes: Statues‘

A single Lamp, burning before the

Statue of St.

Rosolia

, shed a faint light through the room, and

permitted

him to examine all the charms of the lovely

Object

(Antonia)

before him.’'She started away from the Statue's Pedestal on which She had been seated, and attempted to

escape by flight.’‚'Then would I vent my anguish in loud exclamations and passionate complaints; and then again my strength failing me, silent and hopeless I would sit me down upon the base of

St. Clare's Statue, fold my arms, and abandon myself to sullen despair. 'Slide30

Conclusion

Violation of cultural roles brings pain and death

Possible influence os certain archetypes

Women are powerless and they are sacrificed

Symbolic use of objects

Catholicism is sinister and evilSlide31

The End