Section B Simplified Flashcards
Introduction
. Gothic and Science fiction Frankenstein
. Lawrence Olivier Theatre (The National Theatre)
. February 2011
. Director = Danny Boyle
. Protagonists = Victor Frankenstein - Jonny Lee Miller
. Monster = Benedict Cumberbatch
. Alternated on different nights
. Naturalistic play + stylised sections
. Voice communicates meaning.
. My opinion
Paragraph 1
. Monster had just ‘born’ from womb
. Voice was utilised effectively evoking pity + sympathy
. Beginning of scene when Monster shakes rapidly, he is breathing heavily and groaning.
. Effectively communicates that Monster is exerting + straining himself when doing simple things e.g. standing.
. Groaning causes Monster to appear in pain + discomfort causing audience to worry for Monster and his lack of physical capabilities when clearly vulnerable.
. May be taken advantage of advantage of.
. Innocence reinforced through the guttural noises
. Meaning = Monster does not know how to talk, has not had education.
. Throughout scene absence of dialogue as Monster has not developed enough to formulate coherent sentences.
. Audience may fear for the Monster as he has no parental figure to guide or teach him.
. Monster frequently spluttered and choked as he had just been ‘born’ so did not know how to talk which
. Pity from the audience at this defenceless creature.
Paragraph 2
. Monster uses voice is when he is about to brutally murder Elizabeth.
. Speech was unnaturalistic + stylised as Monster paused in unusual places depicting him as supernatural.
. Pitch was also deeper and vocal traits portray Monster as more sinister + horrifying to audience.
. Scene contrasts Monster’s introduction as Monster is able to use dialogue - has been educated so less vulnerable.
. Monster explains what Victor has done to him he used slow pace
. Appears abnormal so audience feels uncomfortable + worry for the safety of Elizabeth.
. Unorthodox depiction of Monster further illustrated through slurring + poor diction of words followed by spitting.
. Despite Monster’s education his speech is not fully developed indicating the Monster is not fully human.
. In same scene Monster’s voice shifts to a sad tone and his voice breaks with remorse as he decides to take revenge by murdering Elizabeth.
. Impacts the audience - struggle to feel sympathy for Victor – even though Victor treated Monster terribly
. Monster took revenge on only person who tried to support him.
Paragraph 3
. Audience may feel pity for the Monster as Victor has driven Monster to extreme violence.
. Danny Boyle’s intention - allow audience to consider society’s treatment outcasts + negatives of rejections.
. Cumberbatch studied stroke victims and implemented vocal traits e.g. slurring into performance.
. Creates a more sympathetic characterisation rather than terrifying
. Audience reflects + feels sorry for him.
Conclusion
. Monster used vocal acting skills effectively to evoke sympathy yet fear from audience.
. Voice conveys Monster’s progression from childlike innocent creature to a being of violence and brutality where the audience rapidly loose compassion for him.
Paragraph 1 bonus
. Victor heavily breathes and stutters – loss of words at his creation and he is unable to comprehend it.
. Victor’s idiosyncrasy – he keeps shaking his hand, he is nervous and anxious - anticipation
. Far proxemics place distance between Victor and the monster suggesting Victor is scared of his creation.
. Monster wants to reduce proxemics because he wants a relationship whereas Victor is backing away
. Monster has a laboured gait including crawling across the floor to emphasise fragility to the audience.
. Victor has a confident, assertive gait – represents his arrogance and how he views himself as God
. His gait becomes less controlled as he inspects his creation, nervousness
. Monster has robotic, animalistic movement – unaware of his size, no concept of how big things are
. Monster’s facial expressions are exaggerated because he moving his face for the first time.
. Scene evokes sympathy for the monster from the audience.
. Victor’s rejection sets up for the rest of the play how society will not accept the monster
. Monster’s motivation is self discovery.
. Victor needs to discover to the level he has achieved creating life.
. Monster has just been born – no established motivation.
. Victor has a God complex, he wants to play God – the first thing the audience sees him do is inspect his creation.
. Monster wreaks of death, lies palms up – unnatural.
. Monster is calling out for Victor.
. Victor does not speak.
Paragraph 2 bonus
. Elizabeth sat on the bed with both her hands clasped in front of her
. Represents her nervousness, doesn’t want to aggravate the monster
. Facial expression is of fear and panic.
. Monster uses outstretched, over the top gesture and he acts out his words
. Shakes and he does not act like a human.
. Elizabeth the tries to run but the monster grabs her and they spin in a circle.
. The monster is clearly strong as he overpowers her and pins her down on the bed call for Victor
. Elizabeth is panting and shouts for Victor conveying her fear.
