A Comparison of Frankenstein to Prometheus

In literature, the character of Frankenstein and the mythological figure of Prometheus share a bunch of similarities. Both of them mess with the limits of scientific knowledge and deal with the fallout of playing god. This essay will dive into the similarities between Frankenstein and Prometheus, mainly looking at their roles as creators, their big dreams, and the mess they cause. By checking out these similarities, we can get a better grip on the themes and messages Mary Shelley was trying to get across in her novel *Frankenstein*.

Creators

Frankenstein and Prometheus both act as creators in their stories. Victor Frankenstein, a super smart scientist, makes life by putting together different body parts and bringing them to life. Prometheus, a Titan, creates humans by shaping clay and giving it life with fire he steals from the gods. Their acts of creation are a big similarity since they both mess with the natural order and take on the role of gods.

Also, both Frankenstein and Prometheus are driven by a need to go beyond human limits. Frankenstein wants to beat death and make life, while Prometheus goes against the gods to give humans knowledge. Their drive to push what’s possible makes them characters who go against society’s norms and mess with the status quo.

Ambitions

Frankenstein and Prometheus have big dreams that end up causing them trouble. Frankenstein’s wish to create life comes from his love for science and wanting god-like power. He gets obsessed with making a being better than humans. Prometheus wants to lift humanity by giving them fire, which stands for knowledge and tech progress.

But their big dreams end up being their downfall. Frankenstein’s creature turns into a monster, rejected by society and seeking revenge on its creator. Prometheus faces the gods’ anger as punishment for his bold move. Both suffer huge consequences for their daring actions, showing the risks of playing god and messing with the natural order.

Consequences

The fallout from Frankenstein and Prometheus’ actions is huge and terrible. Frankenstein’s creature, left alone and hated by its creator, becomes a sign of the bad side of unchecked ambition. It causes chaos, death, and destruction. Prometheus’ gift of fire helps civilization move forward but also brings suffering and trouble.

Additionally, both characters feel deep regret and guilt. Frankenstein feels guilty for creating something that causes so much harm. Prometheus suffers eternal punishment for defying the gods. Their regret is a warning against overreaching ambition and the consequences of playing god.

Conclusion

To wrap it up, Frankenstein and Prometheus share a lot in their roles as creators, their big dreams, and the fallout of their actions. They both go against the natural order and try to lift humanity with their bold moves. But their big dreams lead to their downfall, as they face huge consequences. Frankenstein’s creature shows the bad side of unchecked ambition, while Prometheus faces endless punishment for his defiance. Mary Shelley uses these similarities to warn about the dangers of playing god and messing with the natural order. By looking at the parallels between Frankenstein and Prometheus, we can better understand the themes and messages in Shelley’s novel.