Essential Question 9

Both Victor Frankenstein and Robert Walton had a thirst for knowledge that can be best described as insatiable. They are restless beings because they always want to know more: from philosophy, to the sciences and mathematics. Walton chooses a life on the sea as he plans a “voyage of discovery towards the northern pole"(9), to set foot on new land and experience new things. Walton deeply wanted a friend who would share in his discoveries and challenge him as a fellow scholar. Frankenstein focuses on natural philosophy, which sparked his ambition on the line between life and death. His ambitions lead him to create a monster that can no longer be anything close to human. It utterly dumbfounded him and repulsed him to a point where talking about the subject of science is too painful to bear. Frankenstein has more experience of the two and he tells Walton to heed his advice. Frankenstein sees in Walton’s eyes the same ambition he once had and does not want it become extinguished as his once were.

Essential Question 8

In "The taming of the Shrew" portrays a theme of love; whether or not this love is real is up to interpretation. In the beginning of the play Katherine is shrewd, proud, and vexing. No sane man in their right mind would want to marry her because of her bitterness. She became very jealous and bitter of her beautiful younger sister, Bianca. Katherine is considered a bitter woman past her prime who hates the world seemingly unapproachable until Petruchio comes along. People thought that it was strange for him to court her after all the negative aspects about her, but he did not seem to mind. Petruchio had a plan that could turn her around and make go from a proud woman to a good wife. He had it all planned out he would "fight fire with fire", meaning that if Katherine is going to act bitter Perturchio will act just as bitter towards her. He showed her how it feels when someone constantly reprimands you. He knew that she can change her into a person that everyone will come to understand and adore. He did all this because he loves Katherine and his plan is how he proved his love.