Analysis of Matthew G. Lewis’s The Monk
Feb 24, 2016
Analysis of Matthew G. Lewis’s The Monk
What is the Gothic?
• No clear definition exist for it• The importance of atmosphereo Medievalesque settingso Haunted Castles - Importance
of architecture• Heavy Symbolism• Psychological aspects
Why The Monk?
• One of the earliest example of the genre (1796)• Origin of Gothic conventions• Social comments of that time• Religion• Human nature
Short Summary of characters• Ambrosio: a monk, tempted by the
devilo Pieous Christian; later: rapist and
murderer• Matilda: seductress, agent of Lucifer
o Tempter of Ambrosio• Lorenzo and Raymond: cavaliers,
o The ‘good guys’• Agnes: nun, lover of Raymond
o Damsel in distress
Matilda
• Name:Gothic origin, meaning ‘brave in battle’o Suggests barbaric, pagan
connections• Two conflicting sides:o Supernatural: manipulative
and ruthlesso Human: signs of genuine
emotion
Matilda as a Faustian agent
• Like Mephisto in Faust, she iso a companion and advisero a granter of power for
servitudeo a master of human natureo manipulative
Comparison with Faust: differences
Matilda• Occasionaly genuine
emotions • Sexual charm
o Frees instincts (ID)
Mephisto (Faust)• No genuinity: 100%
manipulation• Intellectual charm
o Frees consciousness (Superego)
ArchetypesMale• Sky (Uranos, Zeus,
Thor)• Wind and thunder:
Action and change
Female• Earth (Gaia, Anann)• Nature: Preservation
and nurturing
Archetypes
• Conclusion: In the traditions of fiction • men act• women are acted upon
• Exception: when women act, it is eithero Foolisho Wickedo Or Both
ArchetypesMale• 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 nature
Ambrosio as a sky god
• Strict and erect postureo Like a statue
• Clear authority, detached worldviewo He views himself above ordinary people
• Voice and oratory described as thundery• Calm, but full of destructive potential
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.’
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 controllable
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.’
Incubus
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. ‘
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 legends
Reasons of downfallAmbrosio• 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 deals
Reasons of downfall
• Conclusion• Ambrosio is too passive for a man• Matilda is too active for a woman
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 corrupt
Anti-Catholic themes: Statues
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, superstition
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. '
Conclusion
Violation of cultural roles brings pain and death
Possible influence os certain archetypesWomen are powerless and they are sacrificed
Symbolic use of objectsCatholicism is sinister and evil
The End