Comparing Macbeth And Mary Shelley's Frankenstein

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Recommended: Preconcieved ideas and stereotypes

Encountering new people is a frequent occurrence. To familiarize oneself with strangers, people create generalizations. As generalizations are accumulated, people can categorize and sort strangers into stereotypes. Therefore, generalizations constitute the way people view the world. Since generalizations are quick and often inaccurate judgements, the fine line between appearance and reality can be blurred. The tendency to make stereotypes is seen throughout history and literature making it archetypal. In Shakespeare’s Macbeth and Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, stereotyping is a reoccurring behavior in human nature that clouds the difference between appearance and reality. King Duncan’s misplaced trust demonstrates how generalizations distort appearance and reality. King Duncan naively assumes the Thane of Cawdor as a loyal warrior, when in reality the he is a traitor. After discovering the Thane of Cawdor’s betrayal, King Duncan realized “there’s no art to find the mind’s construction in the face” (198). King Duncan recognized that one’s physical features and basic mannerisms do not reflect one’s beliefs. By making generalizations about …show more content…

Since Frankenstein’s creation appears like a monster and is intimidating, people, including Frankenstein, label the creation as menacing and threatening. The creature starts out with affection and gentleness, telling his creator, “believe me, Frankenstein: I was benevolent; my soul glowed with love and humanity: but am I not alone, miserably alone?” (). Due to his frightening appearance, the reality of his kind nature is blurred. As a result, the creation is rejected by society and forced to live in solitude. The creature’s loneliness generates aggressive behavior, leading him to replace his considerate temperament with hate. His replaced behavior reinforces society's stereotype about him. Consequently, the line between appearance and reality is

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