Frankenstein: Prometheus Rebound



(From the 1831 edition of Frankenstein)

Those who think that Frankenstein is simply a monster thriller are unaware that it is deeply rooted in ancient Greek mythology.

Mary Shelley, the true creator of both Frankenstein and his monster, drew greatly upon the story of Prometheus for inspiration.  According to Wikipedia, “Prometheus” (meaning “forethought” in Greek) was “the Titan who created mankind.”  In Greek mythology, the Titans were the Elder Gods who were eventually overthrown by the younger Olympians.  Titans ruled during the legendary Golden Age of “primordial peace, harmony, stability, and prosperity.”

Prometheus was a bit of a trickster, and was particularly partial to humans – a mortal race that he had allegedly fashioned out of clay.  Therefore, when Olympian King Zeus became angry with mortals, Prometheus was bound to defend them.  He managed to steal fire from Zeus in order to hand it over to humans.  Not only that, he also taught humans “the arts of civilization, such as writing, mathematics, agriculture, medicine, and science.”  

In retaliation, Zeus armed Pandora with a jarful of “evils, harsh pain and troublesome diseases” for mankind.  He then meted out his very worst punishment to Prometheus (which was particularly vicious since Prometheus had been a key player in Zeus’ rise to power).  Zeus had Prometheus “bound to a rock while a great eagle ate his liver every day only to have it grow back to be eaten again the next day.”

At this point it’s certainly fair to wonder whether all these gory Promethean details have anything to do with Frankenstein.  Mary Shelley saw an essential parallel between Victor Frankenstein’s creation of his “monster” and Prometheus’ creation of humans.  Both so-called creators were guilty of “playing God.”  Both ended up being severely punished for their hubris.  Both operated in wily, but underhanded ways.

The original name of Shelley’s novel was therefore Frankenstein: The Modern Prometheus.  It has assumed a potent life of its own, just as the “monster” itself did.

Resources

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frankenstein

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mary_Shelley

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prometheus

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Titan_(mythology)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pandora

Copyright August 30, 2011 by Linda Van Slyke   All Rights Reserved