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
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Slide1
Analysis of Matthew G. Lewis’s The MonkSlide2Slide3
What is the Gothic?
No clear definition exist for it
The importance of atmosphere
Medievalesque settings
Haunted Castles - Importance of architecture
Heavy Symbolism
Psychological aspectsSlide4Slide5
Why The Monk?
One of the e
arliest
example of the
genre
(1796)
Origin of
Gothic conventions
Social
comments of that timeReligion
Human natureSlide6Slide7
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 legendsSlide21Slide22Slide23Slide24
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