Research Paper On Alchemy

Alchemy

Picture alchemy in your mind. When you think of the word, a variety of creepy, mystical images may come to mind. Alchemy was a major scientific topic during the time Frankenstein by Mary Shelley was written. Alchemy was not only a science, but a spiritual tradition to its practitioners. Although many modern scientists may disagree, alchemy was an important advancement in modern chemistry. This is because of its main goals, its history, and major alchemists.

Alchemy was the beginning of the understanding of chemical sciences to humankind. “To understand the ever-evolving field of chemistry, which is sometimes called “the central science” because it connects natural sciences like physics, geology, and biology, it’s critical
to grasp its beginnings” (Feder). There are many goals in alchemy, and one of the main goals is to find the "elixir of life." "It was thought that this magical elixir would bring wealth, health, and immortality" (Feder). The elixir of life was said to have amazing healing properties. Not only did it have these healing properties, but it would establish never-ending youth. Another major goal of alchemy is the finding of the “philosopher’s stone.” The stone could convert any metal into gold. It was thought to be an elixir of life to be used for immortality and rejuvenation. "The Philosopher's Stone purges the whole body of man, and cleanses it from all impurities by the introduction of new and youthful forces, which it joins to the nature of man. There is nothing which might deliver the mortal body from death: but there is one thing which may postpone decay, renew youth, and prolong short human life" (Paracelsus).

Alchemy was mainly a philosophy that strove to dig deeper into the mystery of life and to master the formation of substances.
“Alchemy was an early precursor to science and included many of the chemistry-related processes that have become known as the chemical arts—the working of metals and alloys, glassmaking and glass coloring, and the preparation and use of pigments, dyes, and therapeutic agents” (Lagowski). Alchemy was a popular science among many different countries and cultures. Its roots, however, came from Egypt and China, independently. Ancient Egyptian craftsmen worked skillfully with many metals, including gold. The mummification procedures and beliefs of life after death were tied very strongly to the development of alchemy in ancient Egypt. Most of the early ideas and information about alchemy was lost when Egypt was invaded by Christians. In China and India, alchemy was started with meditation and medicine that was meant to purify the body and spirit. These methods were used for achieving immortality. Beyond its original roots, alchemy has always been associated with many dark theories, including magic. Most alchemists were seeking out the hidden messages in nature. By doing so, many people were involved in alchemy to strengthen their spiritual life. However, around the fourteenth century, alchemy was becoming more and more identified with magic. Witch hunts were becoming more prominent during the time and practicing alchemists were often accused of
sorcery.

Cornelius Agrippa was one of the most well-known alchemists.
Agrippa was mentioned many times in Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein because of the major influences he had on Victor Frankenstein. “His goal was to discover a coherent body of knowledge that could bring about the rebirth of an ancient and holy wisdom that had been known to the wise men of old (pagan as well as Jewish and Christian) but had been corrupted and lost through the intervening centuries” (Nauert). The philosophies of Agrippa tie so well into Frankenstein because Victor felt that Agrippa’s writings were all about achieving the impossible, which is what he strived to do. Albertus Magnus was a Christian who believed Christianity and science were not meant to be hostile towards each other. He was accused of neglecting theology to instead practice magic and sorcery, but was later beatified and canonized as a saint (Crossref-it.info). Aristotle taught that all matter consists of four main elements, which were earth, air, fire, and water. All of nature was said to incorporate these elements in different combinations and proportions (Lagowski). Paracelsus was another major alchemist that influenced young Victor in Frankenstein. Paracelsus was one of the most important European alchemists after the middle ages. He felt drawn to alchemy and relied heavily on magic and superstition just as much as scientific observation. “Paracelsus believed that the body’s organs worked alchemically, that is, their function was to
separate the impure from the pure, and proposed that a balance of three controlling substances (mercury, sulfur, and salt), which he called the “tria prima,” was necessary for maintaining health” (Feder). In 1662, Robert Boyle created Boyle’s Law, which states that a gas’s volume decreases as its pressure increases. Due to this law and others, Boyle has been labeled as the father of modern chemistry. Boyle wrote many papers on the transmutation of elements, which attracted Isaac Newton, who was another important alchemist.

Sources

Feder, Michelle. "Khan Academy." Khan Academy. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 May 2016. .

Lagowski, J. J. "Alchemy." - Chemistry Encyclopedia. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 May 2016. .

"More on Cornelius Agrippa, Paracelsus and Albertus Magnus." » Frankenstein Study Guide from Crossref-it.info. N.p., n.d. Web. 11 May 2016. .

Nauert, Charles. "Heinrich Cornelius Agrippa Von Nettesheim." Stanford University. Stanford University, 2007. Web. 10 May 2016. .