How Frankenstein is Like Prometheus
Old concepts often repeat themselves and in Mary Shelley's book, Frankenstein, this concept is shown. Victor Frankenstein is the Modern Prometheus because of his striking resemblance in character, the similar ways of creating life, the same level of passion/love for goals, and they both face many punishments for their greedy nature.
Frankenstein and Prometheus are comparable in that they both create life with the abilities they possess. Both Prometheus and Victor use similar ways of creating life, and their characteristics are comparable. The monster Frankenstein is Victor's invention, and humanity is Prometheus' creation, implying that Victor Frankenstein is a modern-day Prometheus. For example, he shocks
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Victor and Prometheus are both greedy and behave similarly. They are unconcerned about others and are solely concerned with their own goals. The main goal they want to achieve is creating life. Victor got Justine killed but does not want to take the blame because he is selfish: "A thousand times would I confessed myself guilty of the crime ascribed to Justine but such ravings would accuse me of being a madman" (Shelley, 74). He is more concerned with himself and the monster than with his friends and family. When Zeus tried to stop Prometheus from creating humanity, he did not listen and proceeded to create humans because that was his main focus. As a result, both Victor and Prometheus got punished in different ways. Prometheus got punished by getting chained up at the mountains by Zeus and getting his liver pecked out by an eagle. Then for it to regrow every sunrise for eternity. Victor Frankenstein had to witness his family die because of his greed and disregard for his family. Both Victor Frankenstein and Prometheus got punished severely because of their greed and disregard of the …show more content…
They are enthusiastic about their occupations and will continue to work even if others try to discourage them. When people encourage Frankenstein to stop his creation, he ignores them and continues regardless of the dangers and terrible consequences that might harm him. He is serious about becoming well-known and clouted. He is determined and never gives up: "For when I would account to myself for the birth of that passion, which afterwards ruled my destiny, I find it arise, like a mountain river, from ignoble and almost forgotten origins," (Shelley, 43) As seen in Mary Shelley's novel, Frankenstein. Victor Frankenstein is the Modern Prometheus because he shares similar character attributes as the old Prometheus. They both create life with the abilities they possess, and they both have an established goal and continue to work towards