Are We All a Modern Prometheus?

by Bryant Goetz

While thinking about this book and the initial unveiling of key plot points, themes, allegory, etc…I found myself compelled by the title and what it implies without even reading a page of the novel. The full title is of course “Frankenstein: or The Modern Prometheus.” I know a little bit about Greek mythology just because I find it interesting and read about it from time to time but I am no expert. I knew enough to recall the story of Prometheus as the god who created man from clay. So I looked it up on Wikipedia for a little more info on ‘Prometheus,’ here is the link:

Wikipedia: Prometheus

Another major part of the Prometheus mythology is that he also steals fire and gives mortal humans which was “…an act that enabled progress and civilization” (Wiki: Prometheus). For this he was punished by Zeus by being tied to a rock and every day his liver was to be eaten by an eagle. I see this as a cautionary tale and I am sure many of you do to. Prometheus created humans from inanimate clay and then forced his creation to progress and become civilized. Only to then be punished for his deed…why? I believe the almighty Zeus is punishing him not really for stealing the fire, but for the knowledge his creation gained from his action. Is Victor Frankenstein to be punished for the rest of his life by ‘God’ or ‘Mother Earth’ for his creation that defies the rules set in place by nature?

Here is another excerpt from the Wikipedia article:

“In the Western classical tradition, Prometheus became a figure who represented human striving, particularly the quest for scientific knowledge, and the risk of overreaching or unintended consequences. In particular, he was regarded in the Romantic era as embodying the lone genius whose efforts to improve human existence could also result in tragedy” (Wiki: Prometheus). They even go on to mention Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein: or The Modern Prometheus as an example (I initially assumed this but I didn’t know for sure.)

Another little interesting piece of info I was not aware of is that Lord Byron wrote a poem called Prometheus and Mary Shelley’s husband Percy wrote his own spin on the Greek myth. One can see where she got some of the ideas for her novel and how she saw the connection to her ‘Modern’ era. Questioning man’s pursuit of knowledge and the possible consequences handed down from nature or a higher power for going too far (Wiki: Prometheus). We still face these same questions every day and we have seen modern scientific research and the resulting innovations permanently alter our natural world in negative ways regardless of the intentions. At this point in the novel Victor is coming to terms with what he created. Victor is a ‘lone genius’ just as Prometheus was, the monster with yellow eyes embodies the years spent in his pursuit of science and knowledge. He never intended such an outcome but he is still forced to deal with the consequences.

Is every individual a ‘Modern Prometheus’ or should we view all of us together living on this planet as such…or both ways? Will our earthly pursuits to improve the ways in which we live our lives ultimately result in tragedy?