Society: Unaware Of Recoil

Macbeth - assassin of Macduff's family, Duncan, and Banquo; Victor Frankenstein's creation - murderer of William, Justine, Henry and Elizabeth; Caliban - rapist of Miranda and caught in the act of plotting to murder Prospero; Grendel -slaughterer of Hrothgar, Herot, and the Geats. All committing or attempting to commit acts of murder, these characters from the novels Macbeth, Frankenstein, The Tempest, and Beowulf have one thing in common: They're all monstrous. Or are they? What is the nature of their evil? Monsters are not born, but are created through various encounters with society. They are the epitome of how a disparaging society can turn innocent into evil.

Tracing back to the origins of each of these characters, it is clearly shown that they all live healthy innocent lifestyle. Taking a look at Macbeth, he was the general of Duncan's army and fought honorably against the Norwegian invaders. Later, the king thanks and acknowledges him by making him Thane of Cawdor. In Frankenstein, the creature created by Victor Frankenstein desires friendship. Although he is all alone, he goes around trying to make friends. Devoted to learning he manages to read, learn, and talk on his own just by watching the De Lacey family. He tries to lend a helping hand as he collects wood and does chores for the family. Realizing that taking food from the family is hurting them, the creature stops. Later on, the creature even saves a girl from drowning in a river. This creation of Victor Frankenstein is not looking to hurt anyone. All he is seeking is a companion. In The Tempest, Caliban is just an islander. He shows his inviting open personality various times throughout the book. Being a long time resident of the island, when Prospero and Miranda first arrive, he welcomes the company and gives them a tour showing them all the in and outs of the Island. In Beowulf, Grendel may have been a descendant of the evil Cain, but that does not immediately make him evil. Grendel is no different than the son of a murderer that lives today. The son is not assumed a killer just because his father murders someone. None of these characters are initially evil.

Throughout the lives of these characters, they have various encounters with society which drives their ambitions to the next level. In Macbeth, the witches' prophecies tell him that he will become king. This triggers Macbeth's ambitions of gaining power. This is where we see Macbeth's character slowly turning immoral as he starts to consider murdering Duncan. In Frankenstein, Victor Frankenstein brings new life into the world through his scientific studies. Walton mentions that "never did I behold a vision so horrible as his face, of such loathsome, yet appalling hideousness." (Shelley, 270) He hears from Victor about how horrid this creature is, yet when he actually sees it he is still shocked. Victor abandons his creation due to its physical characteristics. The way Victor immediately runs away from his creation is no different than a mother abandoning a newborn. The chances that the newborn will survive and be successful are slim to none, much like the creature who has no initial intellect and has to go live in a challenging environment all alone. He has no one to look after him and his main ambition is now gaining knowledge for survival which will later drive him towards evil. In The Tempest, shortly after Miranda and Prospero show up on the island, they immediately make it their own. Even though Caliban is the native, Prospero becomes the dictator and makes Caliban learn his language. Caliban has no idea what's about to dawn upon him and welcomes them. With no laws set, he sees nothing wrong with raping Miranda. Caliban has no idea it was a crime, yet Prospero takes control and Caliban is forced into enslavement. What society does to Caliban is unjustified as it would be the same as accusing someone of breaking a rule, before that rule is even set. In Beowulf, Grendel is nurtured as a fighter. As descendant of Cain, he has no choice on whether to be good or evil. Everyone automatically puts under assumption that he is an evil monster even though Grendel has no choice in the decision. It was part of his lifestyle. Although none of these characters were born evil, the experiences that they had with society guided and triggered their development into monsters.

The negative influence from society didn't stop, but kept taking shots at these characters. Macbeth had the ambition to gain power which was drove by the witches to an uncontrollable level. The witches provoked his thoughts about murdering Duncan, but Macbeth still knew it was a horrible crime to murder the king and second thought himself until Lady Macbeth finds out about it. Lady Macbeth says:

"That made you break this enterprise to me?

When you durst do it, then you were a man;

And, to be more than what you were, you would

Be so much more the man. Nor time nor place

Did then adhere, and yet you would make both:

They have made them selves, and that their fitness now

Does unmake you. I have given suck, and know

How tender 'tis to love the babe that mils me:

I would, while it was smiling in my face,

Have pluck'd my nipple from his boneless gums,

And dash'd the brains

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