Modern Day Prometheus In Frankenstein

A modern day Prometheus, not so modern to us. Mary Shelley’s most iconic work, Frankenstein, reveals to the reader a look into 19th century literature at its finest. Prometheus, a Greek demi god that was accredited with the creation of man, sounds very different from the more modern mad scientist of England, Victor Frankenstein. It will become clear however, that these two seemingly polar opposites actually have a lot in common, this is how the story of Frankenstein, revered its nickname “The modern day Prometheus”. These two stories compare to each other by exhibiting the common aspect of the search for acceptance and love from the creator and from the creation. As written in an article submitted by the New World Encyclopedia, Mary

Frankenstein harvested the miracle of life, which most people believe should be sacred in the hands of God alone, and Prometheus stole the gift of fire that was exclusively only for the gods. “They ascend into the heavens; they have discovered how the blood circulates, and the nature of the air we breathe. They have acquired new and almost unlimited powers; they can command the thunders of heaven, mimic the earthquake, and even mock the invisible world with its own shadows." (Shelley, 14) Here it can be seen in chapter 3 that the scientific world of the 19th century was reaching new heights with the discoveries to potentially unveil the mysteries of life itself. This medical revolution would prove devastating for Victor Frankenstein and his family; this is because the life he created ultimately killed everyone he held dear to him. The same can be seen in Prometheus’s case, when Zeus saw that he had stole the flame from him, he cast Prometheus off to be tormented for years, and then sent Pandora to bring the vase of all the bad aspects of life to wreak havoc on man, who Prometheus loved so dearly. " I see, O Prometheus, thy body, in the toils and torture of bondage. Withering where on this rock; and a mist as of terror, a cloud of tears o'er veils my eyes: new helmsmen guide in the heavens, and Zeus unlawfully rules with new laws and the might of old he hath banished to uttermost darkness." (Knopf, 15). Hearing this from his story emphasizes the love that Prometheus felt for man. The willingness of Prometheus to sacrifice life and limb for their well being was a selfless act that we would have never seen between Victor and his