Dr Jekyll & Mr Hyde: Mr Edward Hyde Character Analysis (AQA GCSE English Literature) : Revision Note

Hyde is a deeply violent character who displays no remorse for his crimes and could be viewed as a representation of the dangerous consequences of repression. 

Mr Hyde character summary

Why is Mr Hyde important? 

• Violent: Hyde demonstrates violent behaviour, two instances of which are revealed to the reader. Enfield tells Utterson how the “small man” “trampled calmly” over a child’s body and was like a “damned Juggernaut”. Later in the novel, a maid describes how Hyde attacked Sir Danvers Carew in a “great flame of anger, stamping with his foot, brandishing the cane… like a madman… and clubbed him to the earth”. These two events demonstrate his savagery.

• Callous: Hyde shows disregard and indifference towards his victims. It could be argued that Hyde shows little care for Lanyon when he transforms into Jekyll in front of him. Lanyon describes how he witnessed Hyde’s transformation; the sheer terror and shock of the event lead to Lanyon’s premature death. 

• Domineering: It appears to others that Jekyll has formed a strong friendship with the mysterious Hyde, though to onlookers, such as Utterson, the friendship is concerning. Indeed, Jekyll’s will suggests that Hyde is central to his life as he has made him the heir to his “quarter of a million sterling”. Jekyll battles to keep Hyde subdued but he is overcome by him. While Hyde is in “terror of the gallows” Jekyll knows that the only way to rid himself of Hyde is to take his own life. 

Mr Hyde’s use of language

Mr Hyde uses language that reflects his sinister and primitive nature.

• Imagery: Hyde (and Jekyll) frequently use imagery to explore Hyde’s existence and its implications. For example, the stars are personified as Jekyll considers how Hyde is the first being of his kind they have seen: “the constellations looked down upon me… the first creature of that sort that their unsleeping vigilance had yet disclosed to them”. This suggests Hyde’s existence is deeply unsettling to the universe itself.

• Religious language: Religious references permeate Hyde’s reflections and his creation is perceived almost as an act of divine conception. For example, just as Hyde has been conceived, the morning is said to be “ripe for the conception of day”. This alludes to Hyde’s blasphemous nature for he is not a divine creation but a grotesque perversion of the natural order. Similarly, Stevenson describes Hyde as “really like Satan”.

• Fragmented and abrupt: Hyde’s impulsive and primal nature is revealed through his fragmented and abrupt language. This reveals his disdain for society and his rejection of moral and societal codes. 

Mr Hyde key quotes

Mr Hyde character development

Mr Hyde character interpretation

Physiognomy

Stevenson’s depictions of Hyde’s appearance links to the Victorian theory of physiognomy. He is described as “ape-like”, “deformed somewhere” and “downright detestable” which appears to support the notion that a person’s morality could be revealed through their physical traits. Stevenson complicates this theory however, as Jekyll and Hyde are the same person and this duality suggests that appearances can be deceiving.