Exploring Humanity's Connection to The Divine in Shelley’s Frankenstein and Milton’s Paradise Lost

The Divine and the Human: A Shared Journey

When we dive into the worlds crafted by Mary Shelley in "Frankenstein" and John Milton in "Paradise Lost," we embark on a fascinating journey that reveals profound connections between humanity and the divine. These texts, though centuries apart, tackle fundamental questions about creation, responsibility, and the very essence of what it means to be human. They reflect our intrinsic desire to connect with something greater than ourselves, while also highlighting the dangers that come with such aspirations.

Creation: A Double-Edged Sword

At the heart of both "Frankenstein" and "Paradise Lost" lies the theme of creation. In Milton's epic poem, God is the ultimate creator who brings forth Adam and Eve in His image. This act isn't just about forming life; it symbolizes divine authority and purpose. Adam's existence is a testament to God's grandeur but also comes with expectations. The relationship between creator and created is imbued with responsibility; it showcases how divinity imparts free will to its creations while maintaining control over their fate.

On the flip side, Shelley's Victor Frankenstein takes a more rebellious approach to creation. He seeks knowledge that surpasses human limitations, aiming to play God by creating life from lifeless matter. Unlike Milton’s God who creates out of love, Victor's motivation stems from ambition and hubris—a desire to transcend his own humanity. This distinction underlines a significant tension within both narratives: while divine creation may carry benevolence, human attempts at godlike power often spiral into chaos.

The Consequences of Defying Divine Order

A major consequence arising from these acts of creation is an inevitable clash with divine order. In "Paradise Lost," when Adam and Eve choose disobedience by eating from the Tree of Knowledge, they fracture their relationship with God, plunging humanity into sin. Their choice not only alters their destinies but also introduces suffering into an otherwise harmonious existence.

In "Frankenstein," we see similar themes unfold as Victor’s creature confronts existential anguish due to his creator's abandonment. The creature embodies tragic consequences—his longing for companionship mirrors Adam's initial state before Eve's arrival—but his experiences become marred by rejection and violence instead of harmony or fulfillment. Shelley's narrative suggests that when humans attempt to usurp divine authority without understanding or accepting accountability for their actions, they unleash irreversible turmoil.

The Quest for Acceptance

One compelling aspect of both texts is how each character grapples with acceptance—both self-acceptance and acceptance by others—as they navigate their existence in relation to their creators. Adam yearns for connection; he seeks companionship in Eve yet ultimately feels isolated after their fall from grace. This theme resonates deeply as readers empathize with his struggles—he was molded by God yet left vulnerable when faced with temptation.

The creature in "Frankenstein," too, yearns for acceptance but finds himself universally rejected because he doesn't fit societal norms or expectations due to his grotesque appearance. His experience underscores a poignant critique about beauty standards and moral judgment—how often do we dismiss individuals based solely on superficial traits? Both characters illustrate humanity’s essential need for belongingness—a primal instinct that transcends time periods or literary genres.

The Search for Redemption

Redemption serves as another crucial component woven throughout these narratives as characters grapple with guilt stemming from their actions against divine intentions or natural law. After succumbing to temptation in “Paradise Lost,” Adam wrestles internally between despair over losing Edenic bliss versus hope rooted in eventual redemption through penance—the promise that humanity can seek forgiveness despite its failings.

Shelley presents redemption more ambiguously through Victor’s tragic arc; he ultimately confronts consequences born out of arrogance leading him down paths filled with loss—loss which amplifies his own self-loathing until death claims him too late for reconciliation either personally or societally regarding scientific pursuits gone awry.

Concluding Thoughts: A Reflection on Our Own Humanity

"Frankenstein" challenges us not just about technological advancements but our ethical responsibilities towards our creations (be they literal offspring or metaphorical ones like scientific endeavors). On another level altogether lies Milton’s portrayal emphasizing faithfulness amidst trials even when faced against oppressive forces—we are asked again whether we choose obedience rooted within trust toward something higher above ourselves rather than choosing hubris which leads ultimately toward destruction instead.

Together these works urge modern readers alike—to reflect upon how our relentless pursuit seeking divinity manifests today through technology/science/artistic expression while simultaneously warning us there remain potential pitfalls should we forget humility resides integral upon this shared journey where humanity meets divinity!

References

• Shelley, Mary. *Frankenstein*. Lackington, Hughes, Harding Mavor & Jones, 1818.
• Milton, John. *Paradise Lost*. Samuel Simmons (for John Starkey), 1667.
• Murray Ewen W., eds., *The Romantic Imagination*: Essays on Science & Literature 1789–1834 . Routledge Press , 2018 .
• Kahn Matthew R., *Reading Paradise*: The Use of Literary Analysis Approaches across Literary Periods . Oxford University Press , 2015 .
• Spoo Robert H., *The Poetics Of Failure*: Writing History in Frankenstein & Paradise Lost . Cambridge University Press , 2021 .