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Mary Shelley – The Woman who invented Frankenstein

Mary Shelley - The Woman who invented Frankenstein
Jul 4 2021 Share

Frankenstein’s monster is a popular character in most horror stories and fiction. What many people do not know however is how the abomination came to be. And what is less known is that the creator of this iconic figure was a woman named Mary Shelley.

Mary Shelley was born on the 30th of August 1797 to both philosopher parents. Her father encouraged her to adhere to his own anarchist political theories. In 1814, Shelley began a relationship with the Romantic poet Percy Bysshe Shelley, a giant in the field of English poetry and literature.

Despite being already married, Percy took a liking to Mary and they started a relationship. They eventually married following the former wife’s passing. In 1816, the couple spent a summer with two other well-known authors, Lord Byron and John William Polidori in Switzerland. 

Mary, Percy and Lord Byron had a competition to see who could write the best horror story. Mary contemplated for days until she came up with the idea of a scientist horrified by the life he creates. Frankenstein, or ’The Modern Prometheus’, was born. 

Mary started to write the story when she was 18, with the first edition published anonymously when she was 20. The second edition featured her name for the first time in 1821 in Paris. Mary won the competition despite being up against some of the most prolific writers who ever lived. 

The tale of Frankenstein captures the Gothic and the Romantic, with some considering it the first true science fiction story. It deals with topics ranging from destiny, aesthetics, man’s relationship to nature and God, and the pitfalls of man’s over-reaching. 

The work of this 18-year-old woman has inspired generations to come up with their own Frankensteins. So every time the greyish brute with bolts in his head pops up on your screen, just remember the legacy of Mary Shelley. 

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It’s David and Victoria Beckham’s 22nd wedding anniversary

It’s David and Victoria Beckham’s 22nd wedding anniversary
Jul 4 2021 Share

Manchester United football star David Beckham met Spice Girl star Victoria Adams in 1997. They soon became one of the world’s most beloved couples, marrying just under two years after their wedding. Posh and Becks, as they are known by their couple nickname, spoke about the realities of marriage and how its not always smooth sailing. David popped the question on January 25th 1998 after slipping a three-carat onto Victoria’s finger. 

The footballer himself packed a matching band set with 96 diamonds. Both rings cost a total of £200,000, with the couple celebrating the news with a holiday in Spain. The couple was known to appear at showbiz parties in matching outfits, sparking the Posh and Becks nickname. The couple announced their first baby boy Brooklyn in 1999 and the rest is history. David and Victoria remain as one of the world’s most iconic couples. 

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Photo Source: The Sun

Sliema Striker Alex Satariano joins Italian Frosinone Calcio

Sliema Striker Alex Satariano joins Italian Frosinone Calcio
Jul 4 2021 Share

Alex Satariano, 19, has just been confirmed to have signed a contract of 3 years to join the Serie B side Frosinone. Satariano, the now-former Sliema striker, will be continuing his career in Italy after he was expected to undergo a medical. Emerging as one of Malta’s brightest prospects last year with Sliema Wanderers, he made 16 appearances with the Blues in the Premier League, scoring a total of 6 goals. 

Starring in the UEFA Nations League campaign and also Malta’s World Cup Qualifiers last March, Satariano will be continuing his football career on international grounds as one of Malta’s youngest yet most experienced talents. His contract is set to extend to the 30th of June 2024. 

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Photo Source: Replay Net TV FB

The Olympic dream which sparked an entire debate about gender

The Olympic dream which sparked an entire debate about gender
Jul 4 2021 Share

New Zealand announced last month that their weightlifting team would be taking Laurel Hubbard, a transgender weightlifter, to be the first ever openly transgender athlete at the Olympics. The inclusion of Hubbard garnered much social media attention – with many praising, but others equally criticising. The 43-year-old’s selection was a massive stepping stone in the right direction for her supporters. They saw the Olympics exemplifying inclusion and giving courage to other transgender athletes. 

Those against the idea however, had equally hot opinions about the matter. Many argued that being a transgender woman, or a woman who was assigned male at birth, gives Hubbard an unfair physical advantage. Some called her inclusion a bad joke and stated that cisgender athletes competing and dreaming of winning the Olympics have all their hard work outshined by Hubbard’s ‘advantages.’ 

Hubbard has not yet engaged with the whole debate herself, only briefly stating that the kindness and support she received was humbling. Many advocates for diversity stated that Hubbard’s selection shows that transgender women do not pose a threat to women’s sports. Moreover, they emphasised how the fight for inclusion is not over. 

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Photo Source: BBC