Dr Jekyll And Mr Hyde Reputation Analysis

In ‘Macbeth’, Shakespeare shows the gradual change in the protagonist Macbeth by displaying how he goes from a hero to a tyrant. Similarly, in ‘The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde’, Stevenson includes the downfall of his protagonist in his story by showing him as a prestigious gentleman at the start of the play, but near the end he is shown as the villainous Mr Hyde. In ‘Macbeth’ the protagonists downfall is somewhat caused by the Witches and Lady Macbeth whereas in ‘The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde’ the protagonists downfall is due to his addiction to his potion. At the start of the play, Macbeth is shown as kind and brave due to his acts in the war. King Duncan says, “What he hath lost, noble Macbeth hath won”.

The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, a mystery novella, is told through the eyes of Mr. Utterson, who, in appearance, is described as a “lawyer of a rugged countenance” (Stevenson 1). He is inexpressive and looks as if time has worn him thin. While he is loved by his close friends, he comes across as someone who is reserved. As the story progresses, Mr. Utterson struggles to allow himself to venture away from his traditional rational thinking and begin exploring his curious thoughts. Mr. Utterson holds the values of a Victorian gentleman.

And hitherto it was his ignorance of Mr. Hyde that had swelled his indignation; now, by a sudden turn, it was his knowledge. It was already bad enough when the name was but a name of which he could learn no more. It was worse when it began to be clothed upon with detestable attributes; and out of the shifting, insubstantial mists that had so long baffled his eye, there leaped up the sudden, definite presentment of a

Dr. Jeckyll chose by himself to create the more “wicked” and “disordered” version of him. This version of himself longs to be free of the facade he puts on when he is seen as the organized and friendly doctor, this covers up ultimately contributes to his overwhelming need for a less obligated life. By extending the exposure of the real reasoning behind Hydes behavior Stevenson is able to create a horrific feeling inside the character's

As soon as Jekyll gave into the existence of Hyde and created a compound he also compounded his situation or made it worse, emphasizing the negativity in giving into temptation. Soon after his transformation Hyde having been suppressed for two months, kills Sir Danvers Carew. Jekyll recalls the event saying “I struck in no more reasonable spirit than that in which a sick child may break a plaything. ”(87) The metaphor of equating murder with breaking a children's toy connects back to the first incident with Hyde where he tramples the child.

“The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde” by Robert Louis Stevenson, depicts the same storyline, but includes many differences on how the plot evolves in the film versus in the novella. In the first scene of the film you see people crying and moving in slow motion which set’s the mood for the film for the scene. There are many differences that are exemplified in the film then in the novella. In the book Hyde acts more violent to me, whereas in the film his actions are shown as more sexually. An example of this is when in the film Hyde is raping women instead of his brutal violence that is exemplified in the book.

The fact that Robert Louis Stevenson’s Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde was published in the year after private male homosexual acts was made illegal […] Two characters that paint the most homosexual undertones are Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Utterson. While Jekyll represents the negative and repressed views of homosexuality, Utterson is the opposite. Utterson’s characterization represents homosexuality that was tolerated in the 19th century. Through clever storytelling and characterization, Stevenson’s Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde is able to provide insight on how homosexuality was viewed in the 19th century.

In the novel, Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, Robert Louis Stevenson explores the complexity of human nature. He uses characters and events in the novel to present his stance on the major theme: “man is not truly one, but truly two” (125). Branching from this major theme are many more specific views on the idea that human nature is divided into good and evil. Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde are two very different people who occupy the same body. Human beings struggle with good and evil and Stevenson goes to the extreme to to show this relationship.

“ And you never asked about the place with the door?” These quotes show how he is trying to help out and get to the bottom of things and criminal cases. Utterson is very caring and helpful showing he is the superego. In conclusion, In Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde represents the three personality . Such as, the ID, the ego, and the superego.

Jekyll is seen performing scientific practice, attempting to achieve a goal which can be argued to exceed his mental capacity. Dr. Jekyll wished to remove his dark side, tampering with the duality of man. He expressed hatred towards is his darker side. It shows this in the quote “many a man would have even blazoned such irregularities as i was guilty of;... I regarded and hid them with an almost morbid sense of shame.”

Supernatural events have been intertwined in a large portion of Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. This story would be nothing without the encounters with supernatural. Supernatural is defined as beyond the measure and explanation of Science. To give some background information, In Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, we start off with four main characters. The four main characters are Dr. Jekyll, Mr. Hyde, Mr. Lanyon, and Mr. Utterson.

Dr. Jekyll is viewed as a smart man with a lot of knowledge, however, due to Jekyll not being satisfied with his life, he is determined to get more out of his live and is willing to do anything to fulfill his determination. Dr. Jekyll expresses this when he states, “[A] grinding in the bones, deadly nausea, and a horror of the spirit that cannot be exceeded at the hour of birth or death. Then these agonies began swiftly to subside… [t]here was something strange in my sensations, something indescribably new and, from its very novelty, incredibly sweet. I felt younger, lighter, happier in body within I was conscious of a heady recklessness, a current of disordered sensual images running like a millrace in my fancy, a solution of the bonds of obligation, an unknown but not an innocent freedom of the soul.” (Stevenson 57).

“I would still be merrily disposed at times; and as my pleasures were (to say the least) undignified, and I was not only well known and highly considered, but growing toward the elderly man, this incoherency of my life was daily growing more unwelcome. It was on this side that my new power tempted me until I fell into slavery.” (Stevenson 62) This line is very obvious at pointing how Dr. Jekyll is getting bored of his dignified and mannerly life. He is losing the balance that kept him satisfied.

Enfield, Utterson, Lanyon and Jekyll are all aware of the social expectations and the importance of appearance, Jekyll and Hyde shows a contrast of public vs private. Even in the first chapter, Enfield is wary of sharing his story

Following the theme of duality, Mr. Utterson shares many similarities with Dr. Jekyll. Both characters have been tempted by their passions and desires. For instance, Mr. Utterson would “[drink] gin when he was alone, to mortify a taste for vintages” and avoid the theatre “though he enjoyed [it]”
(Stevenson 1677). However, unlike Dr. Jekyll, Mr. Utterson manages be “austere with himself” and not succumb to these temptations (Stevenson 1677). Through this, it is evident that corruptive influences and desires exist in every individual.