Frankenstein is a novel by Mary Shelley that was first published in 1818. Frankenstein tells the story of Victor Frankenstein, a young scientist who creates a monstrous creature in an unorthodox scientific experiment. Frankenstein has been hailed as one of the most influential horror stories of all time, and has inspired numerous adaptations and imitations.
While Frankenstein is best known as a horror story, it also contains elements of science fiction and romanticism. Frankenstein is considered one of the first examples of science fiction, and has had a significant impact on the genre. The novel has also been praised for its exploration of deep themes such as the nature of good and evil, man’s relationship to technology, and the dangers of unchecked ambition.
Early humans fashioned a tale to explain whatever they discovered on the planet. Prometheus, the creator of man in Greek Mythology, was utilized as a mechanism to illustrate how mankind was formed. His tale demonstrates the consequences of attempting such a feat. In Mary Shelley’s novel Frankenstein, Victor is seen as the inventor. The myth of Prometheus and Frankenstein have several parallels.
In Frankenstein, Victor Frankenstein is the one who created the “monstrous” being. He is similar to Prometheus in the way that he took on a god-like role by creating life. Also, like Prometheus, Frankenstein suffers from the consequences of his actions. He is pursued by his creation and eventually killed.
Both men create a creature, and as a result, they face enormous consequences for their actions. However, when comparing these two works of fiction, one may notice there are several differences. The views toward the creatures, the cost each creator pays for his or her misdeeds, and how they are compensated are all polar opposites in Frankenstein and the myth of Prometheus.
In Frankenstein, the creature is seen as an abomination from the moment he is created. Frankenstein even goes so far as to abandon him immediately after giving him life, which leads the creature to believe that he is unwanted and unloved. The creature is never given a chance to be anything other than what Frankenstein perceives him to be: a monster. On the other hand, Prometheus is welcomed by Zeus and the other Olympians when he creates humans. In fact, they are so pleased with his actions that they make him their protector.
Unlike Frankenstein, who suffers no consequences for his actions until much later, Prometheus is punished almost immediately. He is chained to a rock where an eagle eats his liver every day only to have it grow back overnight, an eternity of pain and suffering. Frankenstein, on the other hand, is able to live a relatively normal life until his creation comes back to haunt him.
The way each character is punished also reflects their views toward their creations. As mentioned before, Prometheus is chained to a rock for his actions while Frankenstein is chased by his own creation. This difference can be seen as Prometheus being punished for bringing life to humans while Frankenstein is punished for abandoning his creature. In this way, it could be said that Mary Shelley sympathized with Frankenstein more than with Prometheus.
While both Frankenstein and the myth of Prometheus deal with the consequences of playing with life, they differ in many ways. The most notable differences are in the views of the creators, the price they pay, and the way they are punished. Frankenstein is a story that still resonates with readers today while the myth of Prometheus is a cautionary tale that has been passed down for centuries. Either way, both stories warn against playing with life and show the consequences that can occur when doing so.
Prometheus takes the responsibility of creation into his own hands, but he does not seek advice from the gods on Mt. Olympus. He fashioned his creatures out of earth materials as myth recounts, “Prometheus, the clever Titan, formed all living animals from a combination of earth and water.” From these, he created birds for the air, fish for the sea, and animals for the land.
Frankenstein, by Mary Shelley, is a novel that can be looked at in many ways. It tells the story of a man who takes on the role of Prometheus and creates life, without consulting anyone or looking to the heavens for guidance. He too uses earthly materials to create his creature, and this creature is also given god-like attributes. Frankenstein’s creature is, in many ways, an analogy for Prometheus’ creation of man. Frankenstein’s creature is an example of what can happen when someone tries to play God without thinking about the consequences.
When Frankenstein created his monster, he did not think about what would happen after he brought it to life. He was only focused on the act of creation itself. This is similar to how Prometheus only thought about the act of creation when he made man. He did not think about what would happen after man was created. Frankenstein’s creature is a reminder of how important it is to think about the consequences of our actions.
Just as Prometheus was punished for his actions, Frankenstein’s creature is also punished. Frankenstein’s creature is rejected by society and treated as a monster. He is forced to live in isolation and loneliness. This is similar to how Prometheus was chained to a rock and had his liver eaten by an eagle every day. Both Frankenstein and Prometheus are punished for their hubris in trying to play God.
While Frankenstein’s creature is often seen as a monster, he can also be seen as a victim. He did not ask to be created, and he did not ask for the god-like attributes that Frankenstein gave him. He is a victim of Frankenstein’s hubris, and he is also a victim of society’s rejection. Frankenstein’s creature is a reminder of how easy it is to become a victim in this world.
Frankenstein’s creature is also a reminder of the importance of family and friends. Frankenstein’s creature is rejected by his creator and by society. He is only accepted by the monster who was created before him. The monster shows Frankenstein’s creature that he is not alone in the world, and that there are others like him. Frankenstein’s creature learns from the monster that family and friends are important, and that they can help us through our darkest times.
