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