Frankenstein Vs Prometheus Research Paper

“The desire to create is one of the deepest yearnings of the human soul.” –Elder Uchtdorf
Many have argued that the stories of Frankenstein are based on the mythical adventures of the god, Prometheus. In both stories, the main character- a smart gentleman- creates a new being of some sort, and must face the consequences of this creation. The story of Mary Shelley’s, “Frankenstein” and the Greek tragedy, Prometheus, have strikingly similar characters and plot lines of creation and punishment that prove that Victor Frankenstein is, indeed, “The Modern Prometheus.” The characters of Victor Frankenstein and Prometheus were similar in multiple ways. They both are very intelligent and had clear goals in mind. In Frankenstein, Professor Waldman,

Prometheus was the son of the god Lapetus. He was also the deity and creator of mankind. He made the first man out of clay after a massive rebellion. The rebellion left the leader, Zeus, with diminished powers. So, Prometheus helped Zeus to gain his power back. Zeus wanted to start over with the creations, so he waited for the entire human race to eventually die out. Prometheus was not to let this happen. So, he gave mankind the gift of fire, stolen from the gods. For this, Prometheus was chained down in the Caucasus Mountains and left to suffer all of his life there, until the arrival of Hercules. The creation of fire was the most significant part of the story of Prometheus. Without this fire, all of the mankind wouldn’t have been created. Although Prometheus had to face severe punishments for this creation, he hadn’t regretted his choice. As Prometheus, Frankenstein’s creation was very important to him. Victor felt as if this creature were his companion. He believed that “a new species would bless [him] as its creator and source.” (Shelley 58). His loneliness was probably the cause of the creation of his monster, so when it was finally created, Frankenstein felt extreme joy. This all changed quite suddenly when he realized just exactly what he had done. The idea of creation in the stories of Frankenstein and Prometheus is especially parallel. The main

In the novel, Victor Frankenstein tells his new friend, Robert Walton, his stories of studying natural philosophy, chemistry, and alchemy. With this, he creates a body made of human corpses pieces and brings it to life using electricity, through lightning- as Prometheus does, with the fire. Victor says that he will, “infuse a spark of being into the lifeless.” (Shelley 60). When he uses the lightning to bring life into his creature, he is, at first, frightened, and then in awe of what he has created. After realizing what he had done, Victor becomes horrified and sick. He had done this against the will of God, and will be made to suffer. Back home, Frankenstein’s younger brother dies, and Frankenstein immediately knows that his monster did it. His entire family is facing death because Victor had brought something into this world that was not wanted, or meant to be created. Frankenstein says, “When I reflected on his crimes and malice, my hatred and revenge burst all bounds of moderation. I would have made a pilgrimage to the highest peak of the Andes, could I when there have precipitated him to their base.” (Shelley 44). Frankenstein was a very poor creator and did not display the qualities of a superior caregiver. He worked hard for a very long time to bring his creature to life, only to abandon it after its creation. Because of this abandonment, his creature becomes “wretched, helpless, and alone.” (Shelley