Visions of Darkness in
In this paper I will focus on the character of Geraldine. My reason to do so is that in my several readings of the poem I realized that not only was Geraldine a dark character, she was also the reason and source of all darkness in the poem. With 'dark' and 'darkness' I mean images, situations and sensations that cause terror and are, therefore, source of the sublime.1Strong Connection Between Geraldine and the Setting The setting (first seven stanzas) prepares us for the apparition of Geraldine. I use the term 'apparition' because this is the first impression I had about Geraldine and, almost certainly, so does Christabel: 'No doubt, she hath a vision sweet What if her guardian spirit 'twere What if she knew her mother near?' 2 (96) This preparation consists of several visions of darkness which, put together, cause terror: Owls hoot; the castle clock strikes; the old toothless mastiff howls, 'Sixteen short howls, not over loud'2 (88). All these sounds are described by Burke as productive of the sublime.1 (133) It is the middle of a chilly night and, although it is not dark, a grey cloud sprea
What is more, we can consider the setting as a preparation to meet her and her own creation at the same time. . Christabel lifts her over the threshold. Immediately we learn Geraldine was feigning pain: 'Then the lady rose again, And moved, as she were not in pain' 2(91)Later, when the two ladies pass by the mastiff's kennel: ' The mastiff old did not awake Yet she an angry moan did make! '2 (91). We witness how Christabel's mind and body are affected by this demon: 'Which when she viewed, a vision fell Upon the soul of Christabel, The vision of fear, the touch of pain! She shrunk and shuddered, and saw again' 2 (99) And how it confuses Sir Leoline and makes him reject his only daughter: 'Within the baron's heart and brain If thoughts, like these, had any share, They only swelled his rage and pain, And did but work confusion there. This gives the idea of solitude, silence and vacuity, all sources of terror. The second part, Abel is consistent with Christabel's docile attitude and 'Whom her father loves so well'2 (89) This led me to think that haunted Geraldine is a representation of Kane who is envious of Abel (Christabel): 'All they who live in the upper sky, Do love you, holy Christabel!' 2(93) This would be the reason then, why this evil spirit seeks to separate Christabel from her father, Sir Leoline (God?). It is not she who has power over Christabel and Sir Leoline, but the evil spirit dominating her body. Then, we can also witness her supernatural nature when, in Christabel's chamber, she addresses another spirit (presumably Christabel's mother spirit who has come to protect her daughter). 1 (121) These explicit images of darkness are complemented by something I consider worth mentioning: the questions, apparently addressed to the reader. The idea of supernatural power is the strongest vision of darkness throughout the poem. In this part, the evil spirit is explicitly present. It is morning now, but darkness is still present: the knell is heard, a sound clearly connected to death. Part I of the poem abounds in signs of her haunted condition: When Christabel and Geraldine are at the castle gate, the latter falls. She is helpless and easily dominated.
Common topics in this essay:
Geraldine Christabel,
Christabel Geraldine,
Beauty Geraldine,
Sir Leoline,
,
God Conclusion,
Abel Christabel,
Evil Spirit,
Geraldine Setting,
evil spirit,
Romantic Imagination,
sir leoline,
haunted geraldine,
geraldine setting,
consistent christabel's,
' 2,
owls hoot,
innocent christabel,
cause terror,
christabel father,
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Acceptance Essays
