.
The creature's craving for Victor's love drives him to commit acts of evil. When Victor encounters the creature during his walk in the mountains, the creature confronts him and says, "I am thy creature, and I will be even mild and docile to my natural lord and king if thou wilt also perform thy part, the which thou owest me" (Shelley 96). Despite the horrific manner with which Victor regards the creature due to his grotesque appearance, the creature still believes that Victor should take responsibility as the creator. The creature promises his loyalty towards Victor as his father figure, but in turn wants the reciprocation of his love. However, Victor rejects any idea of love towards the creature, to which the creature responds, "If I cannot inspire love, I will cause fear, and chiefly towards you my arch-enemy, because my creator, do I swear inextinguishable hatred" (Shelley 148). The absence of love from his creator causes the creature to commit acts of evil and wreak havoc in Victor's life. The creature is overwhelmed by the sense of betrayal when Victor constantly rejects him, causing him to swear vengeance. The creature's ability to experience complex emotions causes him to be self-conscious.
In addition to having emotional capabilities, the creature is also able to understand self-consciousness. When the creature looks at his reflection in the river, he exclaims that he "was unable to believe that it was indeed [he] who was reflected in the mirror; and when [he] became fully convinced that [he] was in reality the monster that [he] am, [he] was filled with the bitterest sensations of despondence and mortification" (Shelley 116). The creature, upon looking at his horribly disfigured form, compares himself to the admirable features of the cottagers and feels disgusted and ashamed. Through his reflection, the creature demonstrates his capability to be preoccupied with himself, a trait that is indigenous to humans.
