The Concept of Power in Milton's Paradise Lost, Shakespeare's King Lear, and Shelley's Frankenstein - Assignment Example

Task The Concept of Power Introduction Power can be used to describe the aptitude to sway an individual’s behavior in any surroundings. Power can be imposed on a group with or without confrontation. Power flows from either top to bottom or vice versa. The use of authority does not engage strength, but rather the influence one has over a group of individuals. This unit examines power concept as a theme and its uses as depicted in ‘Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein’, ‘John Milton’s Paradise Lost’, ‘William Shakespeare’s King Lear’, and human beings dispensation with the uses of power. Section 1 Discuss how they treat the idea of power and what it means to the overall purpose of their works. 1. Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein The theme of power plays a crucial role in the novel as depicted. Frankenstein depicts himself as a god when he conquers the difficulties and challenges of life. Frankenstein in his speech compares the relationship of a father and a child, and demand that individuals should be grateful to his deeds. "I have no friend, Margaret: when I am glowing with the enthusiasm of success, there will be none to participate my joy; if I am assailed by disappointment, no one will endeavour to sustain me in dejection." (Shelley, 4). Frankenstein is obsessed with the need to acquire power over individuals, and talks of creating his own species. He is an obsessed individual as he does not take into consideration the social and moral effects of his creation to the society. Later he is s witness to the effects of the desire of craving for power when he says, "Learn from me, if not by my precepts, at least by my example, how dangerous is the acquirement of knowledge and how much happier that man is who believes his native town to be the world, than he who aspires to become greater than his nature will allow," (Shelley, 38). Frankenstein is infatuated with the need to obtain supplementary power and information. He treats the idea of power as something that is a basic need to the society. Secondly, from the begging of the novel ‘Frankenstein and his creature’ are both struggling to understand power concept. The struggle for power amid them is that connection of a master and a slave. The concept of power is witnessed when Frankenstein is making his creation. He supposes the role of a master and takes the responsibility over his creation. This is witnessed when Frankenstein gives life to his creature, thus granting him the opportunity of existence. The concept of power is shifted soon after the creation of the creature. Frankenstein is afraid of his own ‘creation’, since after completing his creature, he flees in horror way from the creature. He flees from the creature for he is not acquainted with what to anticipate from the creature. The balance of power is shifted when the creature discerns of his master name. Frankenstein at the beginning was motivated by the idea of creating a creature that he would be in-charge off, but his power over the creature failed when the creature turned, and instead exercised power over him. It is not ordinary for a servant to overthrow a master. Frankenstein had a personal relationship with the creature and this permitted the creature to posse’s information, which it later used against him. The creature’s new acquaintance earned him considerable source of power that it uses against his master as it considered itself to be in Frankenstein status. 2. John Milton’s Paradise Lost The concept of power is evident in Paradise Lost by John Milton. An example of the concept of power is evident when Satan is expelled from paradise due to power wrangles. Satan planned a counter attack on God and chose his most valuable creation who were the humans Satan enters the universes in the shape of a serpent, and exercises the power he has over humans by convincing Eve to break God’s commandments. “With impetuous recoil and jarring sound Th’ infernal doors. And on their hinges grate Harsh thunder, that the lowest bottom shook…” (Milton, 880-884). He succeeds in convincing Eve when he told her. Eve succeeds in exercising power over her husband when she advice him to eat with her the prohibited fruit. "Ignorance, is that their happy state,/ the proof of their obedience and their faith?" (Milton, 519). God exercises His power over his creation when He chastises Adam and Eve. Likewise, Adam demonstrates the power he has over his wife when he manages tot convince his wife that they should pray instead of committing suicide. Secondly the concept of power is clearly witnessed Milton’s work as it has influenced numerous individuals in liking the work. Individuals still regard the work as the most excellent works of literature, since it had a tremendous effect in their knowledge. Milton stresses that creating something is similar to legalizing its use. He Highlight in his work the power possessed by God and Satan. Satan depicts his gift in an influential way that he easily influences Eve’s opinion. He offers a powerful will of freedom and self-will. This offer tempts Eve, and eventually she ends up falling for the temptation. 3. William Shakespeare’s King Lear The concept of authority is one of the major themes in King Lear. The idea of power is witnessed at the begging of the play when King Lear is dividing his land. The division of the land symbolizes the division of the kingship power possessed by King Lear. The Kingship is a sign of power that individuals posses. Secondly, Lear has a level of superiority over Kent as a fan. Kent regards Lear as his master supporting him in the battle of leadership, though he had a loosed a lot of power over his subject and lands Kent still remains a loyal servant to him. The title Ken used to refer to the king symbolized power held by King Lear over Kent. Thirdly, Abuse of power is witnessed on Goneril when she receives her power and ironically accuses her father king Lear of wronging her contrary to the fact, since King Lear had given her half of his territory to rule. This is evident when Lear says, “Meantime we shall express our darker purpose. Give me the map there. Know that we have divided in three our kingdom” (Shakespeare, 12) The influence of power is witnessed on Goneril, since before she obtained her power she highly valued her father king Lear, but started directing all sorts of negative emotion towards him soon after she acquired her power. ”How sharper than a serpent’s tooth it is To have a thankless child!” (Shakespeare, 312) Fourthly, King Lear has a powerful personality. Having a strong personality is a symbol of inward within an individual. King Lear exercises his intellectual power in his leadership role. He is prompt at delivering the advice that he is asked. His quickness’s in delivering the advice led to him to be efficient in is leadership and famous among his citizensLastly, the transfer of power is witnessed from individuals considered to be evil. At the beginning of the story, King Lear hands his powers to his two children to help him rule the kingdom thinking that they were competent. The transfer of power is prove that power is not enough for one party efficiently to be contented, and sometimes the unfeasible has to be done to ensure a peaceful coexistence in the society (Shakespeare, 3). Section 2 Can human beings dispense with the idea of power or is it an inevitable challenge that human beings have to contend with? Power dispensation refers to the ability of a manager to hang the operation of an act. Individual has to contend with the dispensation of power in a society. An example of power dispensation in the unit is when Frankenstein misuses the power of his knowledge to hang the activities of individuals in the society. Few individuals are allowed to dispense power in order to balance in power structure. King Lear dispensed his powers wisely to prevent against an imbalance of power in the society. He succeeded in this by delegating his powers to his daughters, but remaining in the overall position of power till his death. Individual can be allowed to dispense laws due to exigency, and this only occurs with the consent of an executive. Power dispensation without an official consent can be considered without meddling with the prerogative. It is a challenge, for human beings to contend with the concept of power since it governs the various aspects of life such as the communal and economical aspects. Satan made Eve contend for the possession of power, and in the process, there was an imbalance of power, as a result, they were punished by God. Conclusion Conclusively, power is a weapon used in influencing and altering individuals mind. Power has been used to cater for the different meanings in the topic. Frankenstein desires to have authority over individuals makes him create a creature without having considerations of the impact of his act. Paradise Lost by John Milton depicts the influence power has on individuals. Satan offered the gift of knowledge to human, and Eve interpreted it as power. Out of the desire to obtain power, Eve was easily convinced by Satan. King Lear treats the concept of power with utmost consideration. This is witnessed when he stayed in power even after he divided his land and authority to his two daughters. Works Cited Milton, John. Paradise Lost. Boston: Addison Wesley, 2003. Shakespeare, William. King Lear. New York: Washington Square Press, 1993. Shelley, Mary. Frankenstein. Sydney, NSW: Read How You Want/Accessible, 2010. Print. Read More