Hyde may have been reeling in activities such as engaging with prostitutes or buggery. Thus, in the context of the times, it is abhorrent to Victorian religious morality. Stevenson never says exactly what Hyde does, generally saying that it is something of an evil and lustful nature. As time goes by, Hyde grows in power and eventually manifests whenever Henry Jekyll shows signs of physical or moral weakness, no longer needing the serum to transform. Jekyll decides to take advantage of this, naming this transformation of his 'Edward Hyde', and uses his new persona to act out his hidden desires free of consequences while keeping his social status as Jekyll. However, in doing so, Jekyll transforms into a hideous creature, who appears a lot older than he usually does. Jekyll develops a serum in an attempt to mask this hidden evil. He spends his life trying to repress evil urges that are not fitting for a man of his stature.

This process happens more regularly until Jekyll becomes unable to control when the transformations occur.ĭoctor Henry Jekyll is a doctor who feels that he is battling between the benevolence and malevolence within himself. Instead, Jekyll transforms into Edward Hyde, the physical and mental manifestation of his evil personality. In an attempt to hide this, he develops a type of serum that he believes will effectively compartmentalize his dark side. Jekyll is a kind and respected English doctor who has repressed evil urges inside of him. In the story, he is a good friend of main protagonist Gabriel John Utterson. Edward Hyde, is the central character of Robert Louis Stevenson's 1886 novella Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde. Henry Jekyll, nicknamed in some copies of the story as Harry Jekyll, and his alter ego, Mr. Hyde in an 1887 stage adaptation of Stevenson's novella.ĭr. Actor Richard Mansfield originated the dual portrayal of Dr.

Robert louis stevenson jekyll & hyde