antagonist (n.)
[an-tag-uh-nist]
1) a person who is opposed to, struggles against, or competes with another; opponent; adversary
2) the adversary of the hero or protagonist of a drama or other literary work
The Creature
The Creature, or the monster, was created by Dr. Victor Frankenstein. As we all understand, Frankenstein thought that he had discovered how to create life, which was electricity. He assumed that if he piled up organs and muscles and skin on a table, and charged it with electricity, life would be formed.
When Frankenstein's creation actually wakes up, he realizes how hideous and terrifying it looks. The image of the statue to the right is, in my opinion, one of the best I've seen. Nowadays, people think of Frankenstein's monster as an 8 foot tall green guy with bolts in his neck. In the book, the Monster is described as one that has yellow skin that barely covers the muscles underneath, flowing black hair, pearly white teeth, watery white eyes, a shriveled complexion, and black lips. Sounds like he would resemble our absorbent, yellow, and porous friend who lives in a pineapple under the sea. |
In my opinion, Frankenstein and the monster are both the protagonists and antagonists. It sounds complicated, and it is actually more than just "complicated", which is why I will just talk about why the monster is the antagonist.
Judging from the view of one who does not know the Monster's story, they could easily say that the Monster is the antagonist. They would only see him as a horrifying creature who goes around smashing things and killing people. The villagers and townspeople in the book see him as a villain. In reality, no one would look at a hideous monster and say "He seems like a good person."
Although Frankenstein was the one who created the creature, he sees himself as the hero who has to defeat the villain. He, too, would see the monster as the antagonist.
Although Frankenstein was the one who created the creature, he sees himself as the hero who has to defeat the villain. He, too, would see the monster as the antagonist.