In Greek mythology, Prometheus is one of the titans and Atlas's brother. Known for his sly intelligence, he is credited with playing an integral role in the beginning of human civilization. Examples even include him stealing fire from Zeus and giving it to the humans to push them along. Zeus did not like this, so, as punishment, he tied PRometheus to a rock, and tasked a large eagle to eat his liver out every day, only to have his liver grow back the next morning.
This relates to the novel because, like Prometheus, Victor is trying to aid human kind by making great scientific discoveries, yet, so far, it has only created death. Both actors think they are initially doing a good deed, but it is not what society wants.
A Greek Mythological Titan, Prometheus, stole fire from Olympus and gave it to mankind. In turn Zeus punished him by tying him to a rock where and eagle chewed on his liver till Hercules rescued him. In some legends he is believed to have created humans with molds of clay.
Prometheus relates to this novel because both Frankenstein and Prometheus are intending to protect mankind. Victor's intentions were good in his attempt to create a creature, but so far in the story, nothing good has come out of him. Similar story with Prometheus, in the fact that his intention was good in stealing fire and giving it to mankind, but in the end it just caused havoc and disaster to mankind
To both Andrew and Preston(and anyone else who wants to answer): Do either of you think that Prometheus and Frankenstein share any special attributes or characteristics beyond actions?
There is another similarity between Prometheus and Frankenstein: After achieving their goal and "enlightening" humanity, both are punished for what amounts to eternity for their audacity. Prometheus suffers physical torture, whereas Frankenstein loses loved ones to his creation.
As Frankenstein and Prometheus share some similarities, they also share some differences as well.
Shelley’s version of her modern Prometheus is selfish. An example that shows Prometheus’s selfishness is his decision to not save Justine.
When William is killed, Frankenstein has it in his power to prevent Justine from being executed for the murder, but he chose not to do so, asserting that any confession on his part would be seen as the ravings of a madman.
Unlike Prometheus’s care for mankind, Frankenstein shows a high level of self-interest in this decision. Frankenstein doesn’t want his feelings of guilt to be sanctioned by the court officials nor does he want to be considered as insane by people.
I think another similarity that Prometheus and Frankenstein have is that their actions, even though they didn't have bad intentions, caused distress and heart-attack to the people around them. Prometheus got in all kinds of trouble with Zeus for trying to give the fire to the people and Frankenstein made Victor's whole entire family a wreck because he murdered William. At this point in the novel, Frankenstein hasn't begun to understand emotion so he doesn't understand what Victor's family is going through. And same with Prometheus, he was trying to help out people in the only way he knew possible, but instead it only caused misfortune.
Prometheus was a titan who stole fire from Zeus to give it to the mortals. Like Prometheus, Frankenstein is creating something entirely new to show the world. He is bringing new scientific theory to light just as Prometheus did with fire. Both the "creation" and the fire cause chaos for the ones who bring it to light. Prometheus is punished by Zeus and Frankenstein's monster kills people and causes him grief.
@ Ashlyn: I believe that Victor and Prometheus do in fact share certain characteristics, in that they both want to help and advance humankind. I suppose one could also surmise that because of this shared quality, both are in a way caring toward society through trying to advance it. The only trouble is that the actions they take do have consequences. Sorry if this sounds confusing.
I think there is a whole web of interconnectivity between the two stories. Victor becomes his own god and creates a man without the permission of the true God, while Prometheus created man as a race with the permission of Zeus. Prometheus loved his creations and treated them kindly with special amenities, while Victor was immediately repulsed by his handiwork and detested him from the beginning. God didn't like Victor's choice to create the being or to abandon him, while Zeus loved the fact Prometheus created man, as was requested, but was furious that Prometheus gave his creation something divine (fire), so Zeus resolved to punish Prometheus. Interestingly, man in the Greek story is feeble and weak, and eventually is destroyed by Zeus, but the creature crafted by Victor becomes nearly supernatural in strength, eventually overcoming his maker, completely untouched by the Maker (God). Some interesting parallels exist between these tales in that God is the Supreme Being in both, but is decidedly detached from man's decisions in Frankenstein. This contrasts for the intimate interaction between Zeus, Prometheus, and humanity.
In response to Phoebe and others who have stated similar things, I don't know if I agree that Frankenstein's motivations are entirely selfish. The most direct comparison of actions is between Prometheus stealing the fire, and Frankenstein creating life. I wouldn't say that either were selfish in this action; both intended to use their achievements to do good and help others.
In Greek mythology, Prometheus is one of the titans and Atlas's brother. Known for his sly intelligence, he is credited with playing an integral role in the beginning of human civilization. Examples even include him stealing fire from Zeus and giving it to the humans to push them along. Zeus did not like this, so, as punishment, he tied PRometheus to a rock, and tasked a large eagle to eat his liver out every day, only to have his liver grow back the next morning.
ReplyDeleteThis relates to the novel because, like Prometheus, Victor is trying to aid human kind by making great scientific discoveries, yet, so far, it has only created death. Both actors think they are initially doing a good deed, but it is not what society wants.
A Greek Mythological Titan, Prometheus, stole fire from Olympus and gave it to mankind. In turn Zeus punished him by tying him to a rock where and eagle chewed on his liver till Hercules rescued him. In some legends he is believed to have created humans with molds of clay.
ReplyDeletePrometheus relates to this novel because both Frankenstein and Prometheus are intending to protect mankind. Victor's intentions were good in his attempt to create a creature, but so far in the story, nothing good has come out of him. Similar story with Prometheus, in the fact that his intention was good in stealing fire and giving it to mankind, but in the end it just caused havoc and disaster to mankind
To both Andrew and Preston(and anyone else who wants to answer): Do either of you think that Prometheus and Frankenstein share any special attributes or characteristics beyond actions?
ReplyDeleteAndrew says no
ReplyDeleteThere is another similarity between Prometheus and Frankenstein: After achieving their goal and "enlightening" humanity, both are punished for what amounts to eternity for their audacity. Prometheus suffers physical torture, whereas Frankenstein loses loved ones to his creation.
ReplyDeleteVictor also loses himself in many ways to his "creation"
ReplyDeleteAs Frankenstein and Prometheus share some similarities, they also share some differences as well.
ReplyDeleteShelley’s version of her modern Prometheus is selfish. An example that shows Prometheus’s selfishness is his decision to not save Justine.
When William is killed, Frankenstein has it in his power to prevent Justine from being executed for the murder, but he chose not to do so, asserting that any confession on his part would be seen as the ravings of a madman.
Unlike Prometheus’s care for mankind, Frankenstein shows a high level of self-interest in this decision. Frankenstein doesn’t want his feelings of guilt to be sanctioned by the court officials nor does he want to be considered as insane by people.
I think another similarity that Prometheus and Frankenstein have is that their actions, even though they didn't have bad intentions, caused distress and heart-attack to the people around them. Prometheus got in all kinds of trouble with Zeus for trying to give the fire to the people and Frankenstein made Victor's whole entire family a wreck because he murdered William. At this point in the novel, Frankenstein hasn't begun to understand emotion so he doesn't understand what Victor's family is going through. And same with Prometheus, he was trying to help out people in the only way he knew possible, but instead it only caused misfortune.
ReplyDeletePrometheus was a titan who stole fire from Zeus to give it to the mortals. Like Prometheus, Frankenstein is creating something entirely new to show the world. He is bringing new scientific theory to light just as Prometheus did with fire. Both the "creation" and the fire cause chaos for the ones who bring it to light. Prometheus is punished by Zeus and Frankenstein's monster kills people and causes him grief.
ReplyDelete@ Ashlyn: I believe that Victor and Prometheus do in fact share certain characteristics, in that they both want to help and advance humankind. I suppose one could also surmise that because of this shared quality, both are in a way caring toward society through trying to advance it. The only trouble is that the actions they take do have consequences. Sorry if this sounds confusing.
ReplyDeleteI think there is a whole web of interconnectivity between the two stories. Victor becomes his own god and creates a man without the permission of the true God, while Prometheus created man as a race with the permission of Zeus. Prometheus loved his creations and treated them kindly with special amenities, while Victor was immediately repulsed by his handiwork and detested him from the beginning. God didn't like Victor's choice to create the being or to abandon him, while Zeus loved the fact Prometheus created man, as was requested, but was furious that Prometheus gave his creation something divine (fire), so Zeus resolved to punish Prometheus. Interestingly, man in the Greek story is feeble and weak, and eventually is destroyed by Zeus, but the creature crafted by Victor becomes nearly supernatural in strength, eventually overcoming his maker, completely untouched by the Maker (God). Some interesting parallels exist between these tales in that God is the Supreme Being in both, but is decidedly detached from man's decisions in Frankenstein. This contrasts for the intimate interaction between Zeus, Prometheus, and humanity.
ReplyDeleteIn response to Phoebe and others who have stated similar things, I don't know if I agree that Frankenstein's motivations are entirely selfish. The most direct comparison of actions is between Prometheus stealing the fire, and Frankenstein creating life.
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't say that either were selfish in this action; both intended to use their achievements to do good and help others.