J 2018

The First Adaptations of Mary Shelley's Frankenstein

ČOUPKOVÁ, Eva

Basic information

Original name

The First Adaptations of Mary Shelley's Frankenstein

Authors

ČOUPKOVÁ, Eva (203 Czech Republic, guarantor, belonging to the institution)

Edition

Hradec Králové Journal of Anglophone Studies, Hradec Králové, University of Hradec Králové, 2018, 2336-3347

Other information

Language

English

Type of outcome

Článek v odborném periodiku

Field of Study

60200 6.2 Languages and Literature

Country of publisher

Czech Republic

Confidentiality degree

není předmětem státního či obchodního tajemství

References:

RIV identification code

RIV/00216224:14640/18:00106092

Organization unit

Language Centre

Keywords in English

Shelley; Frankenstein; adaptations; Gothic servants; comic effects

Tags

International impact, Reviewed
Změněno: 23/4/2019 16:44, PaedDr. Marta Holasová, Ph.D.

Abstract

V originále

Abstract: This paper discusses the early adaptations of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein for the nineteenth century stage. Shortly after its publication, Frankenstein inspired a series of dramatizations, starting with R. B. Peake’s melodrama Presumption; or, The Fate of Frankenstein (1823), followed by a number of more or less successful works. As some critics believe, these adaptations shaped the perception and popular conceptions of the work. The adaptors introduced a number of alterations in the plots of the plays, most importantly the minor character of a nervous, cowardly, and talkative laboratory assistant, Fritz, who contributed to the popularity of these adaptations and played multiple roles in the plot development. Apart from providing comic relief following the tradition of Gothic servants, such as Sancho Panza or Leporello, Fritz introduces Frankenstein to the audience and presents necessary background information, thus substituting for the first-person narratives and descriptions of the setting in the novel.