Robert Walton

Robert Walton or The Captain is one of the three principals characters of the novel Frankenstein, written by the late Mary Shelley. Marking his first entry in Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus, Walton is a self-made writer who wanted to achieve success, however, his writing career did not rose to fame, leading to his decision to sets out to explore the North Pole in hopes of expanding his personal scientific knowledge.
== History ==
=== Novel ===
Through out the span of 18th Century, Walton is a failed writer who set out on a trip to North Pole in order to open up his scientific gains. On his trip, he noticed a dog sled driven by a large figure that he found rather strange. Pledging further into the depths of the snows, Robert and his crew rescued a decimated man named Victor Frankenstein, who is trying to hunt down the creature he once formed. Walton and the crew take care of the man, yet once the man recover, Victor soon noticed Walton's sharing an eerie similar desire that had once completely destroy him, leading to him telling the man about the tragedy of his life to serve as a warning before it's too late.
Once Victor finished his tale, Walton's ship crashed to the ice which leads to the death of several crewmates. Despite Robert hesitatingly want to return to the South, Victor agrued that they should be men not boys and once they have choose to follow this path, they must fiercely endure it instead of fleeing away. Walton was motivated but still choose to return to South, in fear for his crew safety and Victor's condition. Victor remained persistent but was unable to go as his body become incapable of doing so.
Robert stay with Victor in his dying moments, as the man tell him to seek "happiness in tranquility and avoid ambition." As Victor passes away, Walton pay his respect to the fallen man before discovering that The Creature is abroad on the ship. The creature express its regret and tell Walton that he did not manage to find peace in Victor's death, only feeling more miserable as he is now left alone on this world. The creature decides that it must die in order for no one to ever sees it again, as Robert watches the tall figure fading in the cold mist.
== Personality ==
Walton is a determinate man who wishes to uncover the larger board of science. He is compassionate and caring toward everyone while at the same time, express his firm capacity to lead the crewmates to North Pole. After finding Victor, he and the crew took care of the man instead of leaving him to death. He and Victor shares similar ambitions yet one distinct trait mark Walton different: He cares more about the people than the objective. He is more of a father figure toward the creature than Victor, teaching him traits only a human can bear.
Walton efforts to help Victor and the Creature allow his team to survive on the harsh environment, effectively leading to their survival in the novel.
== Potrayals ==
* Mathias Henrikson as Capt. Walton in the 1977 horror drama Terror of Frankenstein, this was the captain first appearance after being removed from several film versions in a decade.
* Tom Baker as Sea Captain, appearing in 1973 British made-for-television film Frankenstein: The True Story. This version heavily reduced his role to a side figure in the film.
* Roger Bizley as the Captain, appearing in 1992 television horror film Frankenstein. His role is much more faithful though remain as a small character.
* Aidan Quinn as Robert Walton in 1994 science fiction horror film Mary Shelley's Frankenstein. His role is not only faithful but also expand him as a character. In this version, he appears as a much more understanding and father figure toward Frankenstein Monster, while also bear a strong desire to save those he cared about.
* Donald Sutherland as Captain Walton in the 2004 mini-series Frankenstein.
* Thomas Cunningham as Captain Walton in the 2013 action horror film Army of Frankensteins.
* Paul Tonkin as Captain Walton in the 2024 film Frankenstein Legacy.
== Trivia ==
* Walton's role in movie adaptations is much like Jonathan Harker, both of them serves more like the viewers/readers perspective of the book which ultimately lead to them being a little less unique than the other characters present in the novel.
== Nagivation ==
Category:Book Heroes
Category:Science Fiction Heroes
Category:Horror Heroes
Category:Male
Category:Rescuers
Category:Protectors
Category:Leaders
Category:Wise
Category:Paranoid
Category:Adventurers
Category:Big Good
Category:Live Action Heroes
Category:Honorable
Category:Status Dependent on Version
Category:Non-Action
Category:Arrogant
Category:Narrators
Category:Truth-Seekers
Category:Determinators
Category:Military
Category:Pirates