Shelley's Use of the Modern Prometheus as a Subtitle to the Novel

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Shelley's Use of the Modern Prometheus as a Subtitle to the Novel

The idea of the 'Modern Prometheus' is important in the novel in many

ways as Frankenstein is widely known as being the 'Modern Prometheus'.

In having said this, Frankenstein is called the modern day Prometheus

as he stole from God something that was not meant to be known by

humans and "animated" his idea with science and modern day technology.

Also, just like Prometheus, Frankenstein and mankind were punished for

these actions. Prometheus caused Zeus to create Pandora who released

all evil, disaster and illnesses to mankind, while Frankenstein would

live with the guilt and regret of having made this "monster" and

releasing it onto society and also for the death of many of his

friends and family.

One of the main ideas of calling the novel the "Modern Prometheus" is

that it was Zeus's will that humans should not have the power to

create fire, just as it is the belief of many that humans do not, or

should not have the power to be the "creator" of life. Prometheus

rebelled against Zeus's wishes by putting fire where it didn't belong.

And Frankenstein did something that was considered somewhat grossly

irreverent towards what is held to be sacred by "animating…lifeless

matter", hence putting "the principle of life" in the hands of humans

where it should not have been and getting punished for it.

Frankenstein is like Prometheus in several respects. Firstly, they

both created life. Secondly, they transgressed in doing so. Prometheus

gave man fire in direct opposition to what Zeus wanted, and

Frankenstein transgressed the social norms of the time in making his

creat...

... middle of paper ...

...ir

societies, Prometheus's being Zeus, and Frankenstein's being God.

Secondly, both were creators of "a new species", Prometheus made

mankind out of clay, while victor Frankenstein "animated…lifeless

matter" using the technologies of galvanism. And thirdly, both

Prometheus and Frankenstein introduced forbidden knowledge to mankind.

As a result of "penetrating "the "unknown powers" that were meant to

be kept as the "deepest mysteries" to mankind, both were punished. One

interpretation from the novel of which the idea of the 'Modern

Prometheus is used', is the idea being that if one defies "the

heavens" in order to introduce forbidden knowledge to mankind, it

would only lead to the "utter destruction" of the one who attempted to

do so and eventually "destroy all that [they] held dear" to, as part

of the punishment.

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