Essay Comparing Frankenstein And Prometheus In Mary Shelley's Frankenstein

Frankenstein, a classic novel written by Mary Shelley, is also known as The Modern Prometheus. It may be assumed that this “modern Prometheus” is Frankenstein’s monster, on the contrary Mr. Victor Frankenstein himself mirrors the life of the mythological titan in various ways. Both seeking enlightenment and power, they create something incredible, and yet conflicting; furthermore they also experience what seems like unending torture. This novel demonstrates the ways in which the stories of both Frankenstein and Prometheus share similarities. The definition of “enlighten” is to give knowledge or understanding, or to explain something to someone (Merriam Webster). In the beginning of Frankenstein, Mr. Victor Frankenstein is a highly ambitious man who seeks to be enlightened. While at the

Nearing the end of his life, Frankenstein fell ill due to what seemed a fragile emotional state. Seeing the corpse of his beloved friend, Henry Clerval, almost immediately sent him over the edge to death. Nevertheless, he continued to live in order to track down his creature and see that none of his loved ones were harmed. Unfortunately, his creature was not to be stopped, and continued with the murder of Frankenstein’s beloved wife, Elizabeth. (Shelley, 137). Unable to cope with the stress and unexpected tragedy, Frankenstein’s father died not long after. These sudden loss of his loved ones brought nearly overwhelming grief and anger, for Frankenstein considered himself to be the source of the assassinations. “How have I lived I hardly know; many times have I… prayed for death.” (Shelley, 142). Frankenstein took off restlessly in pursue of the monster, following him into the punitive, icy realm. The rest of his tattered life was spent in this manner of grief, anger, and physical strain. Subsequently, Frankenstein met his weary death aboard a ship, with his creature still