Essential Question 9

How do Robert Walton and Victor Frankenstein compare and contrast as men, scholars, and scientists?

Both Robert Walton and Victor Frankenstein are restless with an intense passion for discovery and knowledge. Walton pursues a life on the seas in an attempt to find new lands, cultures, and waterways. Frankenstein focuses on natural philosophy and is curious to know the purpose and secret behind life and death. The reasons for their pursuits differ greatly. Walton is in it for the fame, but Frankenstein "was encouraged to hope [his] present attempts would at least lay the foundations of future success" (32). Both did suffer greatly in their pursuit of discovery. Walton felt lonely and had no close relationships with his crew. Frankenstein was so engrossed by his project of bringing the creature to life that he lost contact with his family and friends. He even grows ill whenever he sees something that reminds him of his work. Lastly, Frankenstein and Walton have a teacher-student relationship. Frankenstein has experienced what Walton is feeling now and does not want Walton to go down the same road as himself. He is protecting Walton from what I believe is pride, which seems to be the main reason for Frankenstein's demise.

Essential Question 8

Are Katherine and Petruchio in love?

Katherine and Petruchio's relationship is not rooted in love whatsoever. From the beginning, Petruchio was used to marry Katherine so that Gremio and Hortensio could have a chance to court Bianca. He did not care for love, but for the dowry and monetary benefits he would receive. His only problem was to tame Katherine, and did so by meeting fire with fire. By his actions, Katherine was forced into marriage with Petruchio by her father. This shows the disrespect given towards women. We still do not even know the reason for Katherine's prior aggression because none of the characters allowed Katherine to vent and explain what was on her mind. Now that she was married to Petruchio, she was held in his vise, treating her as if she was crazy or mentally deranged. Katherine was forced to submit to Petruchio's will, a similarity with Grendel's mother from Beowulf, who despised her fate. The greatest example of their relationship having no love can be seen in the final scene. Though Katherine may have been the only obedient wife, she acts this way because she has been forced to sumbit herself to Petruchio's words. As for Petruchio, one has to remember that the husbands all placed bets. As Bianca says, "The more fool you are for laying on my duty" (5.2.143). Betting on love is a complete disrespect to love itself. Petruchio shows he was only it for the money.