Frankenstein - Our Modern Prometheus

In the world, we all look to be the modern version of someone great from an earlier time. In this case, Dr. Victor Frankenstein is no different from anyone else in the world. Frankenstein is considered the Modern Prometheus for the following reasons; creation of his monster, rebelling against the natural law of creation, just as Prometheus did with the creation (or molding, as some people believe) of mankind, and also, Frankenstein endured years of punishment for his choices to attempt to play a god. With this , its no wonder he is referred to as the Modern Prometheus of his time!

Frankenstein was looking to give something great to mankind with his advancements in the interesting world of science. In order to do such a thing, he had to rebel against the natural law of creation. Having studied the sciences in college, Frankenstein felt that he could use such knowledge to create life out of something that was already dead, whereas, Prometheus molded mankind and taught mankind how to deceive the gods. With the creation of his monster, Frankenstein was in of hope of finding something that would benefit the human race, "I will pioneer a new way, explore unknown powers, and unfold to the world the deepest mysteries of creation"(Shelley, Frankenstein 1963 pg 33). While doing this, the one thing that any person could hope could come of this, is a chance for life after death.

Another reason Frankenstein can be considered the Modern Prometheus of his time is, the punishment and torture he endured, just like Prometheus did when he taught mankind how to deceive the gods and stole fire from the gods to give to mankind. Frankenstein started his punishment with knowledge of how hideously deformed his creation, the monster, turned out; "Oh! No mortal could support the horror of that. A mummy again endued with animation could not be so hideous as that wretch. Mingled with this horror, I felt the bitterness of disappointment; dreams that had been my food and pleasant rest for so long a space were now become a hell to me; and the change was so rapid, the overthrow so complete!"(Shelley, Frankenstein 1963 pg 43). Once this initial disappointment passed the punishment continued with the untimely death of Victor's brother William and also the dearest Justine. With this punishment Frankenstein wishes to run into this disappointment of a creation, "I wished to see him again, that I might wreak the utmost extent of abhorrence on his head and avenge the deaths of William and Justine. Our house was the house of mourning"(Shelley, Frankenstein 1963 pg 74). At this point, Victor could only think about avenging the death of both his brother and cause. He had hoped that his punishment had come to an end with death of these two, but it was sadly not the end.

Finally, the monster gives Frankenstein a chance to make things right by creating a female companion. Once Victor decided to no longer

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