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What Are The Similarities Between Frankenstein And The Rime Of The Ancient Mariner

477 Words2 Pages

The protagonists in both literary works, Victor Frankenstein in Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein and the Mariner in Samuel Taylor Coleridge’s “Rime of the Ancient Mariner”, are forced to undergo similar nightmares of watching their companions die off around them as a result of their actions. An identical theme of accountability and blame accompanies both works, Frankenstein feeling guilty for the creation of his monster causing his close relationships grief while the Mariner feeling responsible for the killing of the albatross also causing his close companions agony. The gothic style of both works parallel each other on the surface regarding themes, plots, and literary devices but also at a deeper level with respect to overall meaning of each piece. …show more content…

This quote represents a reoccurring theme of the consequences of human actions. It depicts how Victor’s creation of the creature had such terrible effects. Similarly, the Mariner in Coleridge’s work also suffers due to consequences of his actions. The epic and the novel also share a major theme of the power of knowledge or trying to achieve too much. The Ancient Mariner believes that by killing the albatross he is challenging nature, similarly, Victor Frankenstein believes that by creating a creature from scratch he can venture into a never before explored region of science. Both the Mariner and Frankenstein are punished for their actions; the Mariner losing all of his crew members and being forced to sail alone on rough seas and Frankenstein’s neglect of his creation brings death upon those around him. Ironically, while narrating his own personal story, Victor Frankenstein actually refers to the ‘Rime of the Ancient Mariner’ by quoting “but I shall kill no albatross, therefore do not be alarmed for my safety, or if I should come back to you as worn and woeful as the ‘Ancient Mariner’” (Shelley 6). This clues the reader in to the similarities between Victor and the Mariner, as well as the monster and the

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