In Greek mythology, Prometheus was a god who formed humans out of clay and worked to make their lives better. Prometheus is best known for giving humans the gift of fire. Zeus, the chief of the gods, had refused to let humans have fire, but Prometheus stole it and gave it to them. Zeus then punished Prometheus for his disobedience.

Question

,begin italics,Victor Frankenstein, who has brought a dangerous creature to life in his laboratory, is talking to a friend.,end italics,



from ,begin bold,Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus,end bold,



I have suffered great and unparalleled misfortunes. I had determined, at one time, that the memory of these evils should die with me; but you have won me to alter my determination. You seek for knowledge and wisdom, as I once did; and I ardently hope that the gratification of your wishes may not be a serpent to sting you, as mine has been. I do not know that the relation of my disasters will be useful to you; yet, when I reflect that you are pursuing the same course, exposing yourself to the same dangers which have rendered me what I am, I imagine that you may deduce an apt moral from my tale.

Answer 1

In this excerpt from Mary Shelley's Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus, Victor Frankenstein draws a parallel between his own tragic experiences and those of Prometheus from Greek mythology. Both figures are associated with the pursuit of knowledge and the consequences that come with it.

Victor acknowledges his "great and unparalleled misfortunes," reflecting on the heavy cost of his ambition to create life. By relating his story to his friend, he seeks to impart wisdom, warning that the pursuit of knowledge—while noble—can lead to dire repercussions. The reference to a "serpent to sting you" evokes the biblical theme of forbidden knowledge, much like the fire Prometheus stole for humanity, which, while a gift, ultimately resulted in punishment and suffering.

This passage encapsulates the themes of ambition, responsibility, and the risks of overreaching, central to both the myth of Prometheus and Frankenstein's story. Victor serves as a cautionary figure, illustrating the dangerous nature of unchecked desires and the moral lessons that can be drawn from his tragic fate.