The Modern Prometheus

Knowledge and power are at the core of the conflict in both Aeschylus’ play Prometheus

Bound and Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein. The natures of the characters show the similarities

between the two stories. Prometheus Bound focuses on the portrayal of a ruler that makes

choices in order to maintain control, as Zeus is the supreme god of the Olympians and expects

to be obeyed. Prometheus is a Titan that teaches mankind how to use fire, and establishes the

civilization of people. In the play, he is tied to a rock as punishment by Zeus. In Mary Shelley’s

Frankenstein, the main characters are not gods but a regular man and the monster that he

creates. Dr. Frankenstein is a scientist that learns the secret to life, and reanimates a patchwork

corpse. Though the story is different, the characters’ actions in both stories are similar to each

other. Shelley referred to her work as “The Modern Prometheus” due to the strong parallels

between the two stories in order to highlight the importance of respect.

In a way, Zeus and Frankenstein’s monster inherit their status from their co-protagonist.

Prometheus was one of the Titans that lived before the Olympian gods were in power, but also

had the gift of foresight. Knowing that “craft and wiles would rule” (p. 191) instead of brute

strength, he helped Zeus trap the other Titans and obtain power. By saying “it was by my

schemes that the deep, dark pit of Tartarus now hides the ancient Cronus” (p. 191),

Prometheus is hinting at the fact that it was only by his direct influence that Zeus is in power. In

pointing this out, he seems to be claiming that Zeus owes Prometheus a sort of obligation, and

should treat him more fairly. This obligation is rooted in the idea that the source of one’s ruling

power should be respected, and be appreciated. In Shelley’s story though, the role of obligation

is switched to the person with the role of creating the status of the other.
 Of course in the case of Frankenstein, Dr. Frankenstein literally brings the monster to

life, making this relationship one of the creator and the created. Through the novel, the issue of

what Dr. Frankenstein owes his creation is emphasized in their conflict of interests. The

monster is abandoned early on by Frankenstein, so he must learn about humanity on his own.

Eventually he asks his creator’s help to understand why he was created, proposing that he

found an answer in wanting to have a companion. Frankenstein even states, “did I not as his

maker owe him all the portion of happiness that it was in my power to bestow?” (Shelley 175).

Both of them recognize a sense of obligation inherent in the role of the creator, to help the

created live the best life possible. This obligation arises from a creator’s responsibility in

maintaining the creation and follow through with relating the purpose of creating. In other

words, in accepting the consequences of one’s actions, instructions on the purpose of the

created should be given by the creator, so the creation can act accordingly. This dichotomy of

obligation and creation is directly influenced by Prometheus Bound, in the struggle that

Prometheus has in accepting the will of Zeus. Just as Zeus is in a position of power to fulfill his

obligation to Prometheus, so too does Frankenstein have opportunities to fulfill his creation’s

desires.

But the desires of both pairs eventually clash in their views of the future. Frankenstein

ultimately abandons his creation by refusing to unite him with a companion, effectively denying

him happiness, dooming him to a life devoid of a companion. This refusal stems from the fear

that his monster will cause harm to many people, which will also bring misery on himself.

Turning his back on his creation, Frankenstein dooms his monster to be isolated and alone,

having no one to share his future with. This is in direct opposition to the duties that a creator
should have towards his creation, destroying the trust their relationship should have fostered.

The nature of this abandonment is inspired by the older work.

Prometheus’ trust in the obligation Zeus should feel is also betrayed, and is strongly

similar to Frankenstein’s abandonment of the monster. Zeus is fearful of Prometheus as the

giving of fire to humanity is seen as not being loyal to the Olympian god. In decreeing that

Prometheus should be tied up, Zeus is exiling Prometheus to isolation. While tied up, he is very

similar to Frankenstein’s monster in being alone, and having little control of his own future.

Both are sentenced to experience the absence of human connection, which greatly affects their

outlook on life. The difference here is stark though, since Prometheus can foresee the future

and see possible freedom, it highlights the powerlessness that Shelley instills in the monster’s

situation, causing the reader to feel sympathy for the circumstances of the monster.

Though framed differently and on a different scale, the biggest parallel is in the

transmission of knowledge. This is portrayed on a grand scale in the play but as an individual

pursuit in Shelley’s book. Prometheus relates that people “were like children in their wits

before, until I taught them how to use their minds” (p. 198). His contribution to mortals was

teaching how to further civilization’s progress. Civilization is described as the reason humanity

will now prosper, defining the importance of the knowledge people gain in bettering their lives

in agriculture, science, medicine, and so forth. The survival of mankind is directly linked to

knowledge. Instead of this grand scale of human civilization, Shelley embeds the progress of

humanity in one individual. The creation of Frankenstein is an individual that starts with no

knowledge, “no distinct ideas occupied my mind; all was confused” (Shelley 124), which

parallels how Prometheus viewed humanity. Both descriptions are alluding to the idea that
young children, having no constructive thoughts, are similar to a clean slate, that they are

neither inclined to doing good or bad. This implies that all motivations and sensations have to

be learned.

Through new sensations, Frankenstein’s creation soon learns to respect fire. Fire keeps

him warm at night and cook his food, making life easier for him. However, upon reaching his

hand to touch the embers, he gets burned and learns the hurtful nature of fire. Here, fire

symbolizes the experience of learning, demonstrating that knowledge and consequences go

hand in hand. In Prometheus Bound, the consequences of fire is more abstract. Choosing to

help humanity, Prometheus “gave [humanity] fire as their companion” (p. 192). Calling fire a

companion refers to the assistance fire gives to mankind, as something that provides. The

resemblance of Shelley’s use of fire in accordance to knowledge to the transmission of fire and

knowledge in Prometheus Bound is to highlight knowledge as something other than human,

that it must be learned and respected.

The relationship Mary Shelley develops between Frankenstein and Prometheus Bound

lets her raise important issues on the power struggle of rulers and subjects. In losing

perspective in the origin of power, Zeus abuses his role as ruler and gives injustice to one that

deserves respect. In abandoning his creation, Dr. Frankenstein loses sight of respecting the

consequences of his actions. Both stories show the consequences of fear in imbalanced

relationships and the origins of the motivations that leads to abandonment. The injustice put

on Prometheus and also Frankenstein’s monster emphasizes the danger that knowledge can

create. Having power does not mean that one will always do the right thing, nor does it

automatically equate to treating others fairly.