Hamlet, The Metamorphosis, and Frankenstein Essay

Familial relations atomic number 18 often strained in the world of literature, especially between fathers and watchwords. However, these strains grow when traditional notions of fatherhood are altered or circumvented so Hamlet has a difficult time dealing with an uncle-turn-father, and Gregor Samsas father is unable to truly be a boot to a gigantic cockroach. Even Victor Frankenstein is unsure how to treat his creationas a son to care for and provide for, or as an come out of control science experiment gone awry.Each of these texts shows traditional notions of father and son relationships breaking under the strain of unconventional fatherhood. Hamlet, perhaps, provides the most telling illustration of these strains of conventionHamlets primary difficulty is his inability to be a good son to both of his fathers. To be a good son to King Hamlet means avenging his alleged murder by murdering Claudius to be a good son to Claudius means ignoring the pleadings of his ghostly father.Pr ince Hamlet sees his role as son to Claudius as essentially void, due to the marriage of Claudius and Gertude being (at best) damned incest and, at worst, a politically-contrived accessory to the murder of the king. This is what fuels Hamlets odd foe musical composition with Gertrudehe sees his plan to murder Claudius as a way of returning the family to the way it was. Of course, Hamlet fails to freshen up what is rotten in the state of Denmarkhe merely added to the decay via the pile of bodies at the end of the play.Of these three tales, it is a morbid irony that the father/son relationship between a man and a giant cockroach of a son may, in fact, be the most conventional one. This relationship is highlighted by a kind of brutal advantageGregor is useful to his father for as long as he is able to provide for his father. In this sense, the most profound change in the story in the eyes of the eldest Samsa is not his son into an insect, but his son changing from a provider to one w ho needs to be provided for. This sparks anger, outrage, and ultimately, abandonment.This brutal utility is highlighted by the end of the story, in which the family hopes to find a young man for Greta, essentially scheming to replace one provider with another. Gregor, in turn, beliefs his death is the best affair for the family while dying, he remembered his family with deep feelings of love. Victor Frankensteins relationship with his creation is a mockery of traditional father/son relationships, just as Frankensteins actions are a mockery of Gods abilities. Victor wants his son to be a walking, talking example of his throw genius.However, this focus on his own achievements means that he is unable to provide for his sonas he says, his focus is on treading in the steps already marked, I will lead up a new way, explore unknown powers, and unfold to the world the deepest mysteries of creation. His son, unable to experience the love of a woman or a father, is left to feel like he i s miserable and the decrepit and an abortion, to be spurned at, and kicked, and trampled on. The phrasing is very apt the monster feels like he is merely the discarded and abandoned tissue that his father never wished to claim as a son.Three disparate talesHamlet, The Metamorphosis, and Frankensteinprevent father and son relationship that are outside the leaping of normality. In this sense, the tales are normative, as they illustrate what a normal father/son relationship is by clearly exhibiting what one is not. Audiences are left to speculate whether they will treat family members differently when their family changes whether shifting relationships means they, themselves, must change and whether children from alternative circumstances are somehow worth any less of a parents love.