Frankenstein: on Greek mythology
The alternate title to Mary Shelley's Frankenstein is The Modern Prometheus. Do a quick search of the Greek mythological character Prometheus. What is he known for? After finding out a little about him, consider what similarities he has to Dr. Frankenstein and his monster. Why would Shelley classify her character as a modern Prometheus? How does this mythological allusion affect your understanding of the novel and its characters?
Please cite (just post the link) what website you found your information about Prometheus from.
You will respond to this question by leaving a comment on this post.
This response must be at least 250 words.
Remember: you must respond to at least 4 questions per novel.
Extra credit will be awarded if you respond to more than 4 questions.
*and remember, this is a blog--write with good English and use your inner intellectual, but speak casually!
Austin Koch - Question 4 Frankenstein
ReplyDeleteOn the link that I have found, it states that a Prometheus is something that is created for human use, whom is known for intelligence, and as a champion of mankind. He has a lot of similarities to Frankenstein as I expected from watching the movie Prometheus. Frankenstein was a created monster, as was the Prometheus. Prometheus was created to be a champion of mankind, whereas, the Frankenstein was pretty much just created by Victor Frankenstein was just merely created so that Victor Frankenstein could prove he could make a human, but got a monster instead. Which is basically the underlying theme of the whole book. Because Victor Frankenstein almost wanted to be like God is the reason Frankenstein was created as a monster. She classified Frankenstein as a modern Prometheus because honestly, he was a champion over the human race. And that Victor could create something like that is just truly incredible. This mythological allusion better affects my understanding about the story.
The link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prometheus
The Modern Prometheus was know for being a champion over mankind. He wanted to create a being that could overcome spirit. He also taught men to hunt, read, and heal the sick. Prometheus was a very smart individual. He was able to trick Zeus into accepting low quality offerings from the humans. Dr. Frankenstein has a lot in common with Prometheus the both went against the laws of nature and created things they shouldn't have. And after doing so it turned back on both of them and they were punished by their own creation. Shelley classified Frankenstein as Prometheus because he could eventually become a ruler of all humans.After looking up The Modern Prometheus it gave me a better understanding of the story Frankenstein and what Victor Fankenstein was trying to accomplish.
ReplyDeletePrometheus was knows as a champion of mankind, and he was intelligent. The thing they both have in common, is they wanted to make a person. He was a "modern prometheus" because he made a human kind of.
ReplyDeletehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prometheus
ReplyDeletePrometheus was a Titan in Greek mythology given the task of creating mankind, like Victor Frankenstein created the monster. When he tried to make the lives of mankind better he was punished by Zeus, I thought that was a little similar to when Dr. Frankenstein told the monster he would give him a companion and decided not to and was tortured by the monster because of it. Prometheus defied Zeus and Dr. Frankenstein defied the monster by not making him a companion and both were punished severely for doing so. By studying Prometheus I understand a lot more about what Victor Frankenstein intended when he created the monster.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.theoi.com/Titan/TitanPrometheus.html
ReplyDeletePro·me·the·us [pruh-mee-thee-uhs, -thyoos] Show IPA
ReplyDeletenoun Classical Mythology .
a Titan, the father of Deucalion and brother of Atlas and Epimetheus, who taught humankind various arts and was sometimes said to have shaped humans out of clay and endowed them with the spark of life. For having stolen fire from Olympus and given it to humankind in defiance of Zeus, he was chained to a rock where an eagle daily tore at his liver, until he was finally released by Hercules.
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/prometheus
I guess like Titan gave the spark of life to humankind so Frankenstein to gave the same spark of life to his creation. This makes Frankenstein more god like then mad scientist he in his research descureded what the spark off life was elevating him to a god like possession.