Artistic Renditions of Prometheus and Frankenstein

Greek mythology became increasingly popular amongst romanticists since it many times addresses issues that come with the human quest for knowledge. For instance, in Greek mythology, Prometheus is a wise Titan who tricked the gods and stole fire from them in order to give life to a creature he had made out of clay. Also, by bringing fire to mankind he gifted them with power and enlightenment, something dreaded by the gods. As his punishment, the gods decreed him to be chained to a rock and have his regenerating liver eaten by an eagle for all eternity. Frankenstein represents the same theme in that there are consequences for seeking enlightenment and power, and attempting to fulfill roles that are not meant for humans. For instance, before the genesis of his creature, Victor Frankenstein believes that he will be the one to “pour a torrent of light into our dark world” by creating a species that would “bless me as its creator and source” (Shelley 80). This passage is not only similar to the myth of Prometheus in that fire (or in this case light) represents knowledge and life, but also in that both Prometheus and Victor are attempting to fulfill the place of the creator. 

Moreover, Mary Shelley was also deeply influenced by her husband Percy Shelley’s poem Prometheus Unbound. Prometheus represents human progress and advancements, which enable mankind to defy the laws of nature. One of the major themes is that the excessive pride and defiance against nature can have many unwanted consequences. The same theme can be seen in Milton’s Paradise Lost. Percy’s romantic hero can be compared to Milton’s character Satan in that they are both rebellious and struggle against the universe.  Although both characters are prideful, Satan’s intentions are not humanistic and he desires only revenge, whereas Prometheus aims to empower mankind.

In light of these facts, it becomes clear that Prometheus served as an inspiration to Mary Shelley when developing her main character Victor Frankenstein in her novel. Her character points to a parallel between unrestrained self-assurance, and the crossing of boundaries that should not be crossed.

The uncanny resemblance between Henrich von Füger’s painting “Prometheus Brings Fire to Mankind” and the illustration by Theodor von Holst is not a mere coincidence. In both pictures, we see the creature in the bottom left corner and the creator to the right. However, Prometheus is depicted as courageous and heroic, while Victor is illustrated as a coward, quickly fleeing the scene and neglecting his creation. Von Holst’s illustration further proves that Victor acted without thinking and that he did not take responsibility for the consequences of his actions.