Jekyll and Hyde - Characters (1)

Jekyll and Hyde - Characters (1)

1. Dr Jekyll

   • "we known and highly considered"
     • "all mens respect"
       • Jekyll is well respected by others and his reputation is very important. This is common of the times as being respected was very important to victorian men
   • "transcendendental medicine" is "too fanciful" and "unscientific balderdash"
     • his work is untraditional and pushes the boundaries of science and the supernatural
   • "almost morbid sense of shame"
     • He is ashamed and guilty of his other personality as it is shameful for the time. People were expected to conform
   • "drunkard"
     • he is addicted to beoming hyde as he can let his other personality free
   • "he, I say - I cannot say, I"
     • "Hyde alone" is guilty
       • Jekyll does not want to take responsibility for Hydes actions as he believes he has nothing to do with him
   • "almost risked death"
     • he is desperate to escape from being trapped as Jekyll. He would do anything to be able to express his other side.

2. Mr Hyde

   • "pure evil"
     • has religious connotations - embodiment of the devil. He has not good intent as is the pure evil side of Jekyll
       • Utterson can "read Satan's signature" on his face
   • "extraordinary-looking"
     • "an imprint of deformity and decay"
       • "something wrong with his appearance"
         • his evilness is reflected in his appearance
   • "ape- like"
     • He is less evolved and only has his primitive instincts and animalistic desires
   • "damnable"
     • complete opposite of Jekyll - nobody respects him and are instead afraid of him

3. Utterson

   • "a lover of the sane and customary sides of life"
     • typical 'rational' victorian gentlemen and is unwilling to consider any explanation which upsets his rational way of thinking
   • "mental perplexity" when meeting Hyde
     • he is confused as it is impossible to rationalise something that has a supernatural explanation
   • "austere"
     • he is strict with himself and does not allow himself pleasures such as the theatre. He represses his desires unliike Jekyll
   • doesn't read Lanyon's letter out of "professional honour"
     • He doesn't not gossip or conspire as he does not want to find out anything that will harm Jekyll's reputation
   • "an approved tolerence for others"
     • Utterson is not jeudgemental of anybody which is very different to the conventionl victorian man