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
The vision of fear, the touch of pain! She shrunk and shuddered, and saw again' 2 (99) This would be the reason then, why this evil spirit seeks to separate Christabel from her father, Sir Leoline (God?). The night-birds all that hour were still.
Some common words found in the essay are:
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,
Approximate Word count = 1078
Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page double spaced)
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