Frankenstein Compared to Paradise Lost :: essays research papers

In the novel Frankenstein, Mary Shelley intertwines an intricate web of allusions through her characters insatiable desires for knowledge. Both the actions of Frankenstein, as well as his creature allude to gutter Milton?s epic poem Paradise Lost. The legendary Fall of Adam and Eve introduced the knowledge of good and evil into a previously immaculate world. In one split second sin was birthed, and the perfection of the earth was swept away, leaving anguish and iniquity in its ramification. The troubles of Victor Frankenstein began with his quest for knowledge, and, end where both(prenominal) pieces end death.The characters in Frankenstein are a collection of those in Paradise Lost. Frankenstein parallels Eve in the Garden of Eden in that they would do whatever it takes to establish the knowledge of all things. While, the dick corresponds to daemon because they both wanted to break free from their creators and receive a chance at their own decisions. In Chapter 15 of Frankenstei n, Shelley alludes to Paradise Lost in order to establish a connection between the Creature and Adam, when the Creature tries to sympathize with his feelings and cheer his gloom. However, he then realizes that it was all a dream, no Eve soothed his sorrows, nor shared his thoughts, he was alone. The creature meets with the fact that Frankenstein abandoned him, and ?in the bitterness of his heart he cursed him. Yet, earlier in Chapter 10, Shelley suggests an affiliation between the Creature and Satan. He feels like a fallen angel, whom thou drivest from misjoy. Both Satan and the Creature make a vow to destroy something good. In Book I, Satan vows to seek to cause forth evil out of good. Similarly, the Creature declares that if he cannot inspire love, he bequeath cause fear. This network of characters aids the reader in identifying the intertextuality of the two pieces. In the beginning of Frankenstein, Victor was warned of the consequences of his gluttony, whereas Satan swooped un der Eve?s radar and deceived her into a desire too strong to give up. Frankenstein exclaimed the even though so much has been done, scientifically, ?more, far more, will be achieved,? and he will ?explore unknown powers.? This aspiration devoured Victor to the point that he didn?t know when to quit. Nothing caused the need for this creature, it did not affirm science in any way, it only led to Victor?s eventual and inevitable death.