Frankenstein

Desire and Revenge in Frankenstein and Prometheus 12th Grade

In the wide spectrum of humanistic characteristics, that of desire is one of the most prominent. It is an emotion that is challenging to resist, as it tends to control many aspects of life because of the strength it possesses. In the realm of non-human emotions, however, similar feelings emerge; whether a mortal being or not, lack of contentment always leads to further wants to fill the gap. In the Gothic and science fiction novel of Frankenstein by Mary Shelley explores the desire for self-satisfaction and revenge when the monster wants Victor to create a new female monster, but when Victor’s family and his friends start becoming victims of murder, he wants revenge on the creature he had so diligently made. Frankenstein’s alternative title is The Modern Prometheus. In the famous Greek legend of Prometheus, the god wants to help the mortals by stealing fire from Zeus, succeeds, and Zeus, to avenge his pride, creates Pandora, a human woman to bring causes of ruin. Through a shared link of sheer aspiration, Victor, Prometheus, Zeus, the monster, and Pandora convey common desires despite physical differences, and the determination to achieve personal ambition. Showing that human enlightenment is desirous and destruction can ensue...

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