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Mary Shelley

This film looks at the relationship between the author Mary Shelley (1797-1851) and the poet Percy Bysshe Shelley (1792-1822). Both were important voices during the Romantic Period.

Mary Shelley is most famous for her novel Frankenstein. Percy Bysshe Shelley was one of the foremost Romantic poets. Percy and Mary's relationship was considered scandalous by their contemporaries. To be together, the couple broke the rules and norms of their time. Mary was ostracised by her family, and the couple was no longer welcome in 'polite society'.

Painting: Portrait of a woman. She has dark hair. She is looking straight at the viewer.
Portrait of Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley by Richard Rothwell. Govva: Richard Rothwell, National Portrait Gallery / Offentlig eie

Before you watch

Discuss the following questions with a partner or in a group:

  1. What characterises a great love story?

  2. What examples of great love stories can you think of? The examples can come from history, literature, films, TV etc.

  3. Can something be called a great love story if it ends badly?

Watch the film:

About the film

Released: 2017

Duration: 2 hours

Directed by: Haifaa Al-Mansour

Screenplay by: Emma Jensen

Actors: Elle Fanning, Douglas Booth, Tom Sturridge, Maisie Williams, Joanne Froggatt, Stephen Dillane

Language: English

Discuss:

Work in groups and discuss the following questions.

  1. What did you learn about the Romantic period from watching the film?

  2. What did you learn about Percy Bysshe Shelley from watching the film?

  3. What did you learn about Mary Shelley from watching the film?

  4. Mary and Percy's lifestyle excluded them from polite society in their own time. Would their lifestyle have been scandalous today?

  5. Do you think a film like this is able to tell the full story of a personal relationship?

Write:

Pick one of the tasks and write a text of no less than 450 words and no more than 800 words.

  1. Write a summary of the film.

  2. Write a review of the film.

Research:

Work with a partner, or in a group of three. Research and present your findings to another group or to the teacher.

  • Find out more about either Mary Shelley or Percy Bysshe Shelley and make a short presentation where you discuss whether the film tells their life story in a credible way.



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