Relationship between Elizabeth and Victor, Portia and Bassiano

Another key relationship presented in the Frankenstein is the relationship between Elizabeth and Victor. The relationship is first introduced towards the end of the first chapter. The novel has been written in a Chinese box structure and this chapter is written in Victors perspective meaning that his description of Elizabeth is a true reflection of his personal views on her. His first views on Elizabeth is “a creature who seemed to shed radiance from her looks” suggesting that Victor initially judged Elizabeth by her beautiful outward appearance similar to how he judged the creature on being evil due to his ugly outward appearance. Victor explains that Elizabeth was “the beautiful and adored companion of all my occupations and my pleasures” which shows that he has already assigned Elizabeth a role in his life and also suggests that he intended to bond with her. Victor repeats many words to do with possession when describing Elizabeth such as “promised gift”, “mine”, “possession of my own”. This shows that he believes and values Elizabeth as an object who he rightfully owns. This reflects the lack of female rights in society at the time when Shelley was writing the book. Shelley had a strong feminist background which may have influenced her decision to make Elizabeth to be a typical woman who stays at home, is effectively owned by her partner and has no real say or opinion.  It serves as a warning that women who follow a life similar to Elizabeth will also die like Elizabeth . Elizabeth was not able to defend herself and ended up dying whilst waiting for her man who didn’t arrive on time. At the end of the Chapter Victor says “since till death she was to be mine only”, which once again shows that he believes he owns Elizabeth but also shows how selfish he is in this relationship. In chapter 22 Elizabeth says “Our union had been the favourite plan of your parents…. A event that would certainly take place”, this shows that she has accepted that Victor owns her. In the whole text Elizabeth plays a passive role, she always stays in Geneva and eagerly waits for the return of her partner, which shows her insignificance in Victor's life.

This relationship can be compared to that of Portia and Bassanio in The Merchant of Venice. One key theme in the relationship is male dominance similar to how Frankenstein effectively owns Elizabeth.  The first on stage appearance of both Portia and Bassanio is Act 3 Scene 2. She says “One half of me is yours, the other half yours” which implies that Bassanio  (if he chooses the right casket) owns her. This shows how females had no rights in Venetian society at the time of writing. Contrastingly to what she says, she seems to have some rights in her relationship with Bassanio. In this scene she counters everything which Bassanio says in a clever and sophisticated way and also holds the floor in the conversation – “Bassanio: Promise me life and I’ll confess the truth Portia: Well then, confess and love”. This is not similar to the relationship between Elizabeth and Victor as Elizabeth rarely talks as opposed to Victor. Whilst Bassanio chooses the casket, she arranges a song to be played which has words with rhythm with lead such as “bread, head”. The fact that a song is required for Bassanio to choose right may suggest that the relationship between Bassanio and Portia is not true love. Bassanio says “Until confirmed, signed, ratified by you” which suggests that he values his relationship as a business deal which once again reinforces the idea that the relationship is not true love. Portia says commits herself to Bassanio saying “yours to be directed as from her lord, her governor, her king” which shows that she accepts to being owned by Bassanio. Portia and Bassanio next major appearance is in the court scene (Act 4 Scene 1). At the beginning of the scene the audience assumes Antonio is about to do. Bassanio is helpless and cannot save his friend. Portia then arrives disguised as a male doctor. She has to disguise herself as a man in order to have a say. She manages to save Antonio by finding a loophole in Shylocks bond. The fact that she managed to save Antonio when Bassanio could not suggests that she holds the power in the relationship . Portia also manages to play the ring trick on Bassanio. The fact that Bassanio gave his ring to what he thought was the doctor who saved Antonio’s life suggests that he values Antonio over Portia which once again shows that he does not really love Portia.