The Myth Of Mary Shelley s Frankenstein Essay - 1204 Words

In an ancient Greek mythology, mankind obtains fire through a Greek Titan, named Prometheus. The story begins with Zeus, the leader of the Olympus, sending Prometheus to the mortal world to create mankind with clay and water. While Prometheus working on his own creation, he grew love towards mankind, and sympathized with how little power Zeus wanted mankind to have. Therefore, Prometheus stole fire from Zeus and gave it to mankind. After Zeus acknowledged the theft of fire, he was enraged by the action of Prometheus. Afterwards, Zeus punished his action by chaining him to a rock at Caucasus, where his liver being eaten by an eagle during the day and only recovers at night for eternity (Wikipedia). This myth shared very similar component and structure with Shelley’s Gothic fiction, Frankenstein. Shelley’s Frankenstein was deeply influenced by the Prometheus myth ranging from the history of the title, the action of the main character, and the consequences of performing th e action. When the book was first published, Mary Shelley gave a hint of the Prometheus origin in the name of the book. Her original title in 1818 for this book was called â€Å"Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus.† After the overwhelming success of Frankenstein in 1818, Percy Shelley, Mary Shelley’s husband, published Prometheus Unbound: A Lyrical Drama. Later, around 1823, The book was reprinted, and Mary Shelley gave the book its final name, Frankenstein. From the original book title â€Å"Frankenstein; or, TheShow MoreRelatedMary Shelley ´s Frankenstein; Or, the Modern Prometheus, an Analysis of the Subtitle1219 Words   |  5 Pagesof creation.† (Shelley 37). Ab initio Victor Frankenstein, the main protagonist, is being put on a level with Prometheus through the subtitle. An indication that Mary Shelley did indeed have the myth in mind as she wrote the novel, is not only her subtitle, but moreover the parallels between the Prometheus myth and Frankenstein, whic h are undeniable. The title itself gives a lot away of the story which follows. It links the modern world with the ancient Greek myth. Victor Frankenstein â€Å"steals† theRead MoreMary Shelley s Frankenstein And The Modern Prometheus1342 Words   |  6 Pageswritten. But there is no doubt in the connection of the Greek God Prometheus and Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, as the title of the book states: Frankenstein, or the modern Prometheus. Shelley made sure that the readers knew that Frankenstein is to be seen as the modern Prometheus, and all things in her book connect Frankenstein to the Greek God that shaped Humanity. In this essay is stated that Frankenstein is indeed as Shelley meant, the modern Prometheus. Reasoning behind this is of how Frankenstein’sRead MoreThe Consequences Of Technology On Mary Shelley s Frankenstein Essay1703 Words   |  7 PagesThe Consequences of Technology Revealed in Shelley s Frankenstein In Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, written in the late nineteenth century, the author proposes that knowledge and technology can be dangerous to individuals and all of humanity. Frankenstein was one of the first cautionary tales about scientific research. Shelley s novel offers profound insight of the consequences of morally insensitive scientific and technological research. Learn from me. . . at least by my exampleRead MoreThe Themes Of Allusions In Mary Shelleys Frankenstein1096 Words   |  5 Pagesremarkable for the summariness of its allusions and the rapidity of its transitions. Before one of them is half through a sentence the other knows his meaning and replies. ... His mental lungs breathe more deeply, in an atmosphere more broad and vast†¦Ã¢â‚¬  Mary Shelley was a young and brilliant author and woman, who if allusionist was a career path, she’d be a trailblazer. Although she has an almost impeccable hand at allusions, why does she use them? Was it because of her youth in life as well as the world ofRead MoreFrankenstein: Technology1728 Words   |  7 PagesFrankenstein: Technology In Frankenstein or The Modern Prometheus, written in the late nineteenth century by Mary Shelley, Shelley proposes that knowledge and its effects can be dangerous to individuals and all of humanity. Frankenstein was one of our first and still is one of our best cautionary tales about scientific research.. Shelleys novel is a metaphor of the problems technology is causing today. Learn from me. . . at least by my example, how dangerous is the acquirement of knowledgeRead MoreAnalysis Of Mary Shelley s Frankenstein 1028 Words   |  5 PagesFrankenstein thinks that everything is alright now, but Elizabeth has a premonition that the monster will return, and she warns her fiancà © that she fears some harm is going to befall him. At the same time, during the entire village’s celebration, the father of the dead girl carries her lifeless body though the streets for all to see. The shock crowd stops its celebration, stunned and outraged over the death of Maria, and they demand justice from The Burgomaster (mayor) and local police. By nightfallRead MoreFrankenstein, Dracula and Spiritualism1701 Words   |  7 Pages1. Mary Shelley s Frankenstein tells the story of a man s desire to control life itself. Victor Frankenstein s main goal is his own glory and power. He desires like Prometheus before him to take something that is reserved for the god s and make it of use to men. Victor is unable to control this new found power and it eventually destroys him. Shelley tells this story of knowledge and science by introducing the romantic temperament of Victor and the gothic themes of the creation of the creatureRead MoreMary Shelley s Frankenstein And The Modern Prometheus871 Words   |  4 PagesThe title of Mary Shelley s novel is Frankenstein; or the Modern Prometheus. So it shouldn t come as a shock that Mary Shelley was actually influenced by this tale. Her husband Percy Shelley had actually begun composing his own tale of Prometheus in the form of poetry entitled, Prometheus Unbound. He began composing this piece around the same time that his wife was publishing Frankenstein. Mary Shelley included The Modern Prometheus as part of her title for the novel and she attempts to compareRead MoreBiography And Background Of Mary Shelley s Frankenstein 1003 Words   |  5 PagesBiography Background Author of Frankenstein, Mary Goodwin, was born in London, England in 1797. Poet Percy Shelley, her father s philosophy student took Goodwin to London to travel around Europe with her younger sister Jane. In 1816 the group traveled to Switzerland with Lord Byron. One night a member of the group suggested a writing competition. Shelley had writer s block for a time until she had a dream about the creation of a monster. Therefore, within the following days she began to writeRead MoreHow The Romantic Period Was Characterised By Political And Social Upheavals1318 Words   |  6 PagesThe Romantic period was characterised by political and social upheaval. The era marked England s shift from a largely agricultural society to a modern industrial nation. Moreover, the aristocracy s influence diminished, industry-owning middle classes grew. The Romantic epoch also witnesses revolution and war. First the American Civil War, followed by the French Revolution later. They brought concepts of popu lar freedom, and of the power of the proletariat. In England, these ideas were well received