Arthur's Seat

Arthur's Seat is a hill in Edinburgh, Scotland, that features briefly in Mary Shelley's Frankenstein as part of the landscape that Victor Frankenstein and Henry Clerval visit during their journey through Britain. In the novel, it is one of the natural attractions that Clerval admires, and its presence highlights the stark difference between the two friends' responses to the world around them. For Clerval, Arthur's Seat is a source of delight and wonder; for Victor, it is merely another scene in a world he can no longer enjoy, overshadowed by his guilt and the looming threat of the monster.

Setting and Context

Arthur's Seat is an ancient volcano and the highest point in the city of Edinburgh, offering panoramic views of the surrounding area. In the novel, it is mentioned in the context of Victor and Clerval's visit to Edinburgh, which occurs after their travels through the English countryside and before Victor's departure to the Orkney Islands. The two friends have been touring Britain, and Edinburgh is one of the stops on their itinerary. Victor describes the city with a sense of detachment, noting that "the beauty and regularity of the new town of Edinburgh, its romantic castle and its environs, the most delightful in the world, Arthur's Seat, St. Bernard's Well, and the Pentland Hills" compensated Clerval for the change from Oxford. This list of attractions, including Arthur's Seat, is presented as a source of pleasure for Clerval, who is more receptive to the beauties of nature than Victor.

Role in the Narrative

Arthur's Seat appears in the narrative at a moment when Victor is deeply troubled. He has agreed to create a female companion for the monster, a task he abhors, and he is haunted by the memory of his past crimes. His journey to England is ostensibly for scientific purposes, but it is also an attempt to escape his responsibilities and the constant fear of the monster's presence. In Edinburgh, Victor is "impatient to arrive at the termination of my journey," and he finds little solace in the scenery. Clerval, in contrast, is "filled with cheerfulness and admiration" by the city and its surroundings. This contrast emphasizes Victor's isolation and his inability to find comfort in the natural world that once inspired him.

The mention of Arthur's Seat also serves to ground the novel in a recognizable geography, linking the fictional narrative to real places. This realism enhances the sense of authenticity in the story, even as it deals with the fantastic elements of creation and monstrosity. The hill, with its rugged and ancient character, stands as a symbol of the enduring natural world, indifferent to human suffering.

Thematic Significance

Arthur's Seat, like other natural landmarks in the novel, represents the sublime—a concept central to the Romantic imagination. The sublime is characterized by awe and terror in the face of vast, powerful, and untamed nature. For Victor, however, the sublime has lost its power to elevate his spirit. He is consumed by his own internal horror, which is more terrifying than any natural phenomenon. The contrast between Clerval's appreciation of Arthur's Seat and Victor's indifference underscores the theme of the fallen hero, who is cut off from the restorative power of nature.

Furthermore, Arthur's Seat is part of the landscape that Victor traverses in his journey, which is ultimately a journey of despair. The hill's presence in the narrative is a reminder of the world Victor has left behind—a world of beauty and peace that he can no longer access. It also foreshadows the isolation Victor will experience on the Orkney Islands, where he will be alone with his terrible work. In this way, Arthur's Seat serves as a marker of the ordinary world from which Victor is increasingly alienated, and its brief appearance highlights the tragedy of his fall.