Gothic Motifs in Christabel Samuel

Gothic Motifs in Christabel Samuel Taylor Coleridge's poem "Christabel" contains a wealth of gothic imagery that entices the reader with vivid images of vampires, moldy castles, dark moonlit nights, and tragic heroines. The opening lines of Part I of the poem set the stage for what is to come. Tis the middle of night by the castle clock, And the owls have awakened the crowing cock; whit!-- -- Tu -- whoo! And hark, again! The crowing cock, How drowsily it crew" (Coleridge).

Gothic imagery is unmistakable, from the owls to the middle of the night, signifying darkness and mystery. Setting in the poem is a key ingredient in the gothic motifs Coleridge uses to convey images and ideas. The moon is behind, and at the full; And yet she looks both small and dull. The night is chill, the cloud is gray: Tis a month before the month of May, And the Spring comes slowly up this way" (Coleridge).

Gothic images include dark nights, dreary castles, chilly air, and the dark days of April before spring brightens the landscape and the poet's mood. Everything about gothic works seems dark and dreary, like the moon and the night in this section of the poem. 4. Another element of gothic motif in the novel is the lovely heroine, Christabel. As in most gothic works, she is a tragic figure, longing for her lover who is far away and unable to help her in her hour of need.

She had dreams all yesternight Of her own betrothed knight; And she in the midnight wood will pray For the weal of her lover that's far away." The stage is set for a gothic mystery with a tragic heroine, a fiendish vampire, and a bedridden father. 5. Christabel is innocent, trusting, and kind, while Geraldine is directly the opposite. The motifs are clear. Christabel represents good and chastity, while Geraldine represents evil and sine. Christabel is doomed, as it is easy to see from the motifs throughout the poem. 6.

Geraldine, the vampire, is one of the strongest gothic motifs in the poem. From the time Christabel discovers her in the forest, there is something dark and sinister about her. Her story of kidnapping is suspect, and so is her willingness to follow Christabel, a stranger, to her castle. She has powers, it is clear, dark powers that can set a fire to burning, and forever taint the heroine.

Her silken robe, and inner vest, Dropt to her feet, and full in view, Behold! her bosom, and half her side-- sight to dream of, not to tell! A shield her! shield sweet Christabel!" (Coleridge). She is damaged on the outside, but worst, she is damaged on the inside, and her evil will taint the gentle heroine and change her life forever. 7. The mastiff ***** is another gothic element of the poem.

The very description of the dog conjures up an image of a massive dog, wearing a studded and dangerous collar, salivating in wait for any evil attempt at entering the castle. The mastiff old did not awake, Yet she an angry moan did make! And what can ail the mastiff *****? Never till now she uttered yell Beneath the eye of Christabel" (Coleridge) Christabel fails to heed the warning of the mastiff, and so, her fate is sealed.

The image of the mastiff is cruel and powerful, and yet, Geraldine's power is even stronger, for she can keep the mastiff still and keep the warning from registering with Christabel. Thus, her evil is powerful indeed, more powerful than the other gothic motifs in the poem. 8. The dead mother is yet another important motif in the poem. She adds to the tragedy of Christabel's life, and Coleridge makes it quite clear Geraldine is far more powerful than a long-dead spirit.

Alas! what ails poor Geraldine? Why stares she with unsettled eye? Can she the bodiless dead espy? And why with hollow voice cries she, Off, woman, off! this hour is mine Though thou her guardian spirit be, Off, woman. off! 'tis given to me'" (Coleridge). This indicates Geraldine's great power and her influence over the innocent Christabel. The powerful evil temptress is an important gothic element in the poem, and without her, the poem would be dark and brooding, but certainly not as evil and unsettling as it is. 9.

In any gothic work, it seems almost predestined that the motif of a dark and dank castle exists somewhere in the work. "Christabel" is no exception. Her elderly father calls a drafty old.