modern prometheus Essay

Submitted By EstherLim16

Words: 374

Pages: 2

Open Document

Judy Lee
Honors English
24 October 2013
Frankenstein - The Modern Prometheus The novel, Frankenstein, by Mary Shelley, Victor Frankenstein can be considered as the “modern Prometheus” due to the fact that Frankenstein’s main behavior is similar to what Prometheus had done. In Greek Mythology, Prometheus “standing tiptoe on [Mount] Olympus, stretched his arm to the eastern horizon” (“Prometheus” 1), took fire from the sun and gave it to the humans down below, who were living in darkness. Now, the humans were able to cook, see and do all kinds of things they couldn't do before. This angered Zeus, as Prometheus had defied him, and was punished by binding him to a rock and having vultures come eat his liver, which replenished itself, every day. Similarly, Frankenstein took creation into his own hands and instead of being celebrated for his accomplishment, the effects were horrible. Frankenstein did not end up with the perfect creature he had foreseen, instead he had created something horrifying and disgusting. As Frankenstein looked at his creation, “the beauty of the dream vanished, and breathless horror and disgust filled [his] heart” (Shelley 35”). One could say that Frankenstein can be compared to Prometheus in that they both were "punished" for attempting to help mankind. The “modern-day Prometheus” can be seen as Edward Snowden and the whole debacle. Edward Snowden, former NSA contractor and ex-CIA employee, was the one who had disclosed secrets of the NSA. He was

Frankenstein and Modern Prometheus Essay

22 August, 2012 Title: Frankenstein – Or, the Modern Prometheus Prometheus was a Greek God who stole the knowledge of fire from Zeus and gave it to the humans. He was then punished for his actions and bound to a rock, having an eagle devour his liver day after day. He became “the lone genius whose efforts to improve human existence also resulted in tragedy.” Victor Frankenstein can be described using the same statement. Ultimately, Prometheus was freed by Hercules and Victor was freed by death…

Words 608 - Pages 3

Prometheus Bound Play Quotes

Author Bryan Doerries work “Prometheus in Solitary” draws parallels with the life of Prometheus and the life of a modern day prisoners in isolation through Aeschylus’s ancient Greek play “Prometheus Bound”. Dorries states the following about Prometheus’s imprisonment, “not a one-sided condemnation of authoritarian rule” but rather a “discipline and power within a complex hierarchy.” (Doerries, 177-178). Dorries places the power of imprisonment not only in the hands of an all powerful leader but in…

Words 481 - Pages 2

Nature Vs Nurture In Frankenstein

In the centuries following its publication, Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus has become one of the most iconic Gothic horror novels ever written. Through the letters of Robert Walton, a daring explorer on a journey to the North Pole, Shelley tells the tragic story of Victor Frankenstein. A mad scientist living in 18th century Europe, Frankenstein initially believes he can help humankind by finding the key to immortal life. Things take a disastrous turn, however, when his…

Words 1038 - Pages 5

Anthem Prometheus Comparison

Throughout Anthem, Prometheus repeatedly strays from what is expected of him. One such experience is when he shows a preference for science, “We preferred some work and some lessons to the others. We did not listen well to the history...But we loved the Science of Things. We wished to know (Rand ___).” Prometheus refers to himself as ‘we’, which symbolizes that all people are one; yet, despite society’s norms of complete equality, he commits the sin of preference. In the real world, preference is…

Words 293 - Pages 2

Frankenstein Dialectical Journal Essay

similarity between Victor and Prometheus is that both create something (victor created his monster, and Prometheus created mankind) (Isenegger). The second similarity between the two is that they both suffer because of their creations (Isenegger). Prometheus has his liver eaten every day and victor is contentiously tormented by his monster, and Victor belives that the monster is hunting down all the members of his family (Isenegger). Third, both Victor and Prometheus abandon their creations for certain…

Words 586 - Pages 3

Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe The Sorcerer's Apprentice

The German author, Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, was considered the greatest German literary figure of the modern era. Goethe was known for his bold "classical" works that consisted of the fantasy genre. In the works, The Sorcerer's Apprentice and Prometheus by Goethe, the audience can observe the idea of witchcraft and it's powers. One of Goethe's very successful poems was The Sorcerer's Apprentice. The Sorcerer's Apprentice is about an apprentice who tries to place himself in the Sorcerer's…

Words 433 - Pages 2

Frankenstein: Frankenstein and Human Condition Essay

‘myth of the modern Prometheus,’ with Victor being pictured as the one who steals the fire form the Gods; and on the other hand, the problem of science, of scientific knowledge: can science find solutions to all human problems? Is it only a matter of time, or are there clear borders that cannot be trespassed? I will discuss both themes, pointing out what still makes them popular today and explaining how they relate to Frankenstein. First, let’s talk about Prometheus. Prometheus is so closely…

Words 922 - Pages 4

Frankenstein Vs Prometheus Research Paper

“Frankenstein” and the Greek mythology, “Prometheus” there are several similarities that connect the two stories. “Prometheus” is a Greek mythology that tells the tale of a Titan who created men from clay and stole fire from Mount Olympus to give to man. “Frankenstein; or The Modern Prometheus” is a novel written by author Mary Shelley that shares the journey of a young scientist who created a flawed creature in an idiosyncratic way. Both the Titan (Prometheus) and the scientist (Victor Frankenstein)…

Words 985 - Pages 4

Who Is Mary Shelley's Frankenstein?

Mary Shelley was a romantic writer during the 1800s. Shelley started her Ghost story as a short story, she wrote “Frankenstein” or , the Modern Prometheus”, and it was published in 1818. Producers have altered her work through video clips. According to Shelley in her story “Frankenstein or, The Modern Prometheus’’ she describes the protagonist Victor Frankenstein as the scientist instead of the monster. Victor was fascinated by all the things he saw during the storm. In Shelley’s excerpt she states…

Words 311 - Pages 2

Paradise Lost In Frankenstein Essay

What these quotes have revealed is the way Frankenstein and his monster see each other in relation to themselves. Frankenstein curses the day he created the creature who went on to destroy any chance of happiness. The monster shares a similar sentiment of Frankenstein, who created him in such a hideous form and would not complete his own version of happiness in creating a female monster. Through the use of biblical references, the two characters find commonality in at least one storyline, both view…

Words 1039 - Pages 5