Essay about Frankenstein, the Modern Prometheus - 1373 Words

FRANKENSTEIN, THE MODERN PROMETHEUS? In order to illustrate the main theme of her novel Frankenstein, Mary Shelly draws strongly on the myth of Prometheus, as the subtitle The Modern Prometheus indicates. Maurice Hindle, in his critical study of the novel, suggests, the primary theme of Frankenstein is what happens to human sympathies and relationships when men seek obsessively to satisfy their Promethean longings to conquer the unknown - supposedly in the service of their fellow-humans. This assertion is discussed by first describing the Promethean connection. Thereafter, the two forms of the myth, Prometheus the fire-stealer and Prometheus the life-giver are reviewed in the context of Shellys use of the myth in her novel†¦show more content†¦As Frankenstein instructs Walter : Learn from meÂ…. how dangerous is the acquirement of knowledge, and how much happier that man is who believes his native town to be the world, than he who aspires to become greater than his nature will allow (page 31). In Frankenstein. it can be seen that Shelly uses the myth of Prometheus the fire-stealer as an analogy for scientific knowledge, and that the fire of scientific knowledge can be used both for constructive and destructive means. Prometheus stole the fire for altruistic reasons, to help human beings. Similarly, Mary Shelleys arrogant scientist, Victor Frankenstein pursued his studies with the aim of banishing disease and a desire to render man invulnerable to any but a violent death (page 22) and claimed A new species would bless me as its creator and source. (page 32). However, it is really ambition that drives him like a hurricane (page 32) as he engineers the Monster. It is not until the Monster opens its eyes and Frankenstein realises that it is not the thing of beauty he hoped to create that breathless horror and disgust (page 34) fills his heart and sends him rushing out of the room with no thought for what he has unleashed upon the world. Victor Frankenstein can indeed be seen as the modern Prometheus, by defying the gods and creating life, Victor puts himself in Gods place and becomesShow MoreRelatedFrankenstein And The Modern Prometheus1665 Words   |  7 Pages1. In the novel Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus, both Victor Frankenstein and the Monster are viable protagonists, as the fates of both characters comprise a considerable amount of the novel, and are so cruelly intertwined. Both being so crucial to the story, it is really a matter of the reader’s perspective as to who is good and who is bad. 2. From Victor Frankenstein’s perspective, the Monster is clearly the antagonist in the novel Frankenstein. He murders all of Frankenstein’s lovedRead MoreFrankenstein And The Modern Prometheus963 Words   |  4 PagesIntroduction Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus is a sci-fi novel composed by Mary Shelley. This is the story of a science understudy, Victor Frankenstein, who made a beast amid one of his trials. This beast ends up being an inconvenience for Victor. The creature depicted as a living being with all the emotions and feelings, and his appearance of beast was a huge issue when he felt that individuals dreaded him, and they abhor him. He would not like to murder individuals; indeed he attemptedRead MoreIs Frankenstein the Modern Day Prometheus?1302 Words   |  6 PagesRunning head: IS FRANKENSTEIN THE MODERN DAY PROMETHEUS? Is Frankenstein the modern day Prometheus? Irvin M. Beacham Jr. ENC 1101 Dr. Gaspar Is Frankenstein the modern day Prometheus? When Mary Shelly wrote her 1818 classic Frankenstein, she subtitled it â€Å"The Modern Prometheus.† She compared the character of Dr. Victor Frankenstein a highly intelligent scientist to the Greek Titan Prometheus the wisest of the Titans. 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Reasoning behind this is of how Frankenstein’s and Prometheus’sRead MoreMary Shelley s Frankenstein And The Modern Prometheus1141 Words   |  5 Pagessomeone, do you think that you would take that chance? Prometheus is a Greek God who gave mankind fire, which had been stolen from Mount Olympus. â€Å"Frankenstein, or the Modern Prometheus,† by Mary Shelley is about a man name Victor Frankenstein who creates a â€Å"monster† and tells the story of the lives of each character, and the conflict between Frankenstein and his creation. Victor Frankenstein tried to play God in â€Å"Frankenstein, the Modern Prometheus,† by creating a his own specimen, giving his creation