Frankenstein Source Essay

Explanation of Source This source is about one of the literary stories that relate to Frankenstein, which is Prometheus, an Ancient Greek myth. In the first paragraph, there is a brief summary of the story of Prometheus. The wise Titan is considered to have brought knowledge and enlightenment to mankind when he brought fire down to earth. However, to accomplish this task, Prometheus had to go against Zeus and steal fire from the God of Mount Olympus. Due to this misconduct against Zeus, who wanted to keep fire in order to punish Prometheus and the humans, he sentences Prometheus to infinite torture. Afterwards, Prometheus is chained to ground on the highest peak of Mount Caucasus and has his liver eaten out day after day by a vicious eagle. Augmenting his daily suffering, Prometheus has the magical ability for his organs to grow back, therefore, resulting in very repetitious torment for eternity. Moreover, after this brief synopsis, there are explanations as to the multitude of factors which may have influenced Mary Shelley to originally name her novel “The Modern Prometheus” and allude to many aspects of the Greek myth.

Why is the source relevant?
The source is relevant because the author of this interesting text has informed the audience about how Mary Shelley decided to name her the famous book the full title of “Frankenstein; or the Modern Prometheus”.
It is evident that Shelley was truly inspired by the themes and occurrences in the Ancient Greek myth in many aspects throughout her classic novel. In addition, Mary Shelley’s husband, Percy Shelley, was even starting to compose his own story of Prometheus in a poem titled “Prometheus Unbound”. It is known that Percy Shelley began to write this work around the same time that Mary Shelley was in the midst of publishing her book
Frankenstein.

How is the source relevant?
The source related “The Myth of Prometheus” is exceptionally relevant to Frankenstein due to the similar themes they share which frequently arise between the two works of fiction. Mary Shelly based her novel, Frankenstein, from Prometheus because the two protagonists, Prometheus, and Victor Frankenstein, both develop a sense of consequence which was the result of seeking enlightenment from sorrow and mourning, as well as searching for ways to increase their power and authority. Thus, Victor Frankenstein can definitely be seen as the “modern” character personification of Prometheus during the specific era. Victor, alike to Prometheus’ feelings toward fire, has a fascination for the power of lightning and electricity. In chapter two, during the storm, which causes the destruction of an oak tree, this is the moment when he becomes captivated by this magnificent significance.
Moreover, using the unyielding power he has provided himself with, this is the original cause of the suffering he must endure after he created his monster. Soon after Victor designed and animated his creature, Victor is extremely disgusted and nervously and tortuously ill for his huge mistake. The pain that Victor has to experience parallels and reflects Prometheus’ eternal life on Mount Caucasus. To illustrate, during the commencement of the novel, Victor warns Robert Walton of the dangers and consequences of his quest. Mary Shelley has a tremendous inspiration from the Greek myth and thoroughly simulates the tale of Prometheus.