Religion In Mary Shelly's Frankenstein

In Mary Shelly’s Frankenstein, a well-known horror, we come to gather a more religious background as we progress throughout the novel. Religion becomes apparent to us with the inclusion of a famous poem ‘Paradise Lost’. Paradise Lost was a poem written in 1667 by John Milton and was focused on Christianity and included Greek references. There is also throughout this grand poem a history about genesis, the new and Old Testament. The main story linked to paradise lost is that of which god created Adam.
The Monster himself comes into contact with the book as he finds it on the floor and begins to read through the poem in order to expand his knowledge of the world. The Monster had said ‘Paradise Lost excited different and far deeper emotions.
I read it, as I had read other volumes that had fallen into my hands, as a true history’. We gather from this quote that he monster read is as if it were true. He sees himself to play the role of Adam and Victor, his creator, the role of god. But this role in the eyes of the monster is far too glorious and so victor is much more fitted to the role of Satan.
The Monster is clearly represented to be Adam after his creator victor and just as Adam was a creature created perfectly and with no intention of any harm as so was the monster. ‘Like Adam, I was apparently united by no link to any other being in existence; but his state was far different from mine in every other respect’. The Monster then goes on to say, ‘Many times I considered Satan as the fitter emblem of my condition; for often, like him, when I viewed the bliss of my protectors, the bitter gall of envy rose within me’. Similarly to Adam, his creator cast him away.
Religion in Dr Faustus is a known theme throughout. We begin when Faustus is given the chance to ask Mephostophilis whatever may please him. We gather Faustus does not fear death as he tells Mephostophilis ‘I think hell’s a fable.’ This can be interpreted as Faustus believing there is only heaven. However as we move further the book we find now that Faustus does in fact believe in the existence of both heaven and hell as an eternity can be spent there. Throughout however Faustus can be seen as an atheist as he denies at times the existence of god, just as Marlowe had done. This is a contrast to further on whereby he calls on god for aid ‘Ah my God... I would weep, but the devil drains my tears.’ This creates the idea that religion is something that is called upon only when in need of help, other than that it is disregarded. Faustus tried repenting in his final hour, however this is denied by god and he is sent to hell. This in some ways shows god in an unforgiving light, however Faustus had been give many a chance to repent and merely brushed them off.

Jassa Singh