Section B Full Ans

Question 1

Intro

Answer 1

I watched the gothic and science fiction production of Frankenstein in the Lawrence Olivier Theatre (The National Theatre) in February 2011, directed by Danny Boyle. The protagonists were Victor Frankenstein played by Jonny Lee Miller and the Monster played by Benedict Cumberbatch (the production alternated who played Victor and the Monster on different nights). Throughout, the naturalistic play with some stylised sections, voice was used to community meaning.

Question 2

Paragraph 1

Answer 2

In the opening scene, where the Monster had just been ‘born’ from from the womb, voice was utilised effectively to evoke pity and sympathy from the audience. At the beginning of the scene, when the Monster is shaking rapidly, the Monster is breathing heavily and groaning. This effectively communicates to the audience that the Monster is exerting and straining himself when doing simple things such as standing. The groaning also causes the Monster to appear in pain and discomfort causing the audience to worry for the Monster and his lack of physical capabilities when the Monster is clearly vulnerable. This could mean he may be taken advantage of. This innocence is further reinforced through the guttural noises used by the Monster. The meaning that this communicates is how the Monster does not know how to talk indicating he has not had an education. Notably, throughout the scene there is an absence of dialogue as the Monster has not developed enough to formulate coherent sentences. The audience may fear for the Monster as he has no parental figure to guide or teach him. Additionally, the Monster frequently spluttered and choked as he had just been ‘born’ so he did not know how to talk which evokes pity from the audience at this defenceless creature.

Question 3

Paragraph 2

Answer 3

Another key moment towards the end of the production where the Monster uses voice is when he is about to brutally murder Elizabeth. The speech used was unnaturalistic and stylised as the Monster paused in unusual places depicting him as supernatural. The pitch was also deeper and the vocal traits portray the Monster as more sinister and horrifying to the audience. The scene also contrasts the Monster’s introduction as the Monster is able to use dialogue indicating he has been educated so he appears less vulnerable. When the monster is explaining what Victor has done to him, he used a slow pace which appears abnormal causing the audience to feel uncomfortable and worry for the safety of Elizabeth. The unorthodox depiction of the Monster is further illustrated through the slurring and poor diction of words followed by spitting. Despite the Monster’s education his speech is not fully developed indicating the Monster is not fully human. In the same scene the Monster’s voice shifts to have a sad tone and his voice breaks with remorse as he decides to take his revenge by murdering Elizabeth. This scene impacts the audience as they struggle to feel sympathy for Victor – even though Victor has treated the Monster terribly, the Monster took his revenge on the only person who tried to support him.

Question 4

Paragraph 3

Answer 4

However, the audience may instead feel pity for the Monster instead as Victor has driven the Monster to this extreme violence. Danny Boyle’s intention is to allow the audience to consider society’s treatment outcasts and the negatives of rejection. Cumberbatch studied stroke victims and implemented their vocal traits such as slurring into his performance. This creates a more sympathetic characterisation rather than terrifying causing the audience to reflect and feel sorry for him.

Question 5

Conclusion

Answer 5

Overall, throughout the performance the Monster used vocal acting skills effectively to evoke sympathy yet fear from the audience. The voice conveys the Monster’s progression from a childlike innocent creature to a being of violence and brutality where the audience rapidly loose compassion for him.