Excerpt #2 Prometheus created man, without woman, and according to...

Excerpt #2

Prometheus created man, without woman, and according to Edith Hamilton's Mythology, he

...thought out a way to make mankind superior [to animals]. He fashioned them in a nobler

shape than the animals, upright like the gods; and then he went to heaven, to the sun, where he lit

a torch and brought down fire, a protection for men, far better than anything else, whether fur or

feathers or strength or swiftness.

Zeus was angry at Prometheus' actions and reacted out of revenge:

. . .For a long time, certainly throughout the happy Golden Age, only men were upon the earth;

there were no women. Zeus created these later, in his anger at Prometheus for caring so much

for men. Prometheus had not only stolen fire for men; he had also arranged that they should get

the best part of any animal sacrificed and the gods the worst.

Zeus created woman, through Pandora, as "an evil to men, with a nature to do evil." Although

beautiful to look at, Pandora (whose downfall was her curiosity) opened a box given to her by

Zeus. She was told never to open the box. But because of her overwhelming need to know, she

opened it and all the evils of the world--plagues, sorrow, mischief--flew out to torment mankind.

However, one good thing was left in the box as she slammed the lid--hope.

a. How does this part of the myth relate to events in the novel Frankenstein? Try to be

specific and reference details from Frankenstein.

b. Relate your own experiences to Pandora's. Give an example of a time when you did

something you were told not to do. What were the results?

Excerpt #3

After Zeus had punished mankind through the creation of Pandora, a woman, Zeus turned his

attention to Prometheus and punished him by having his servants, Force and Violence, bind

Prometheus,

To a high-piercing, headlong rock

In adamantine chains that none can break,

and told him,

Forever shall the intolerable present grind you down.

And he who will release you is not born.

Such a fruit you reap for your man-loving ways.

A god yourself, you did not dread God's anger,

But gave to mortals honor not their due.

And therefore you must guard this joyless rock--

No rest, no sleep, no moment's respite.

Groans shall your speech be, lamentation your only words.

1. Knowing what happens to Prometheus, speculate what may happen to Victor

Frankenstein because of his creation.

2. What was Shelley's overall purpose for her subtitle? What connections do you

think she wanted her readers to see?

3. Is Shelley's use of the Prometheus allusions in Frankenstein valid? How so?

4. Did Frankenstein follow the scientific method? Explain your answer.

5. Remember that Prometheus's name means forethought (good judgment in avoiding

harm and danger). Does Frankenstein show any "forethought" in his actions?

Explain your thinking.