Frankenstein could have been written as a horror story, but the predominant ideas and themes in the novel are ones that men have struggled with for ages. From ancient Greek myths to the Bible, the story Shelley tells is an ancient one – full of the depths and profound implications of antiquity. The allusions Shelley makes in Frankenstein, alternatively known as The Modern Prometheus, to the background of his story increase the impact it has. In Shelley's novel, allusions to the myth of Prometheus and the biblical story of creation provide parallel characters to Frankenstein and his creation, from which meaningful comparisons can be made and the rebellion each perpetuates can be emphasized . Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get the original essay Victor Frankenstein shares many characteristics with the mythical character Prometheus. Like Prometheus, he transgresses against God by taking something that has been forbidden to humans. While Prometheus stole fire from the gods, Frankenstein stole the ability to create life. The fire that Prometheus stole from the gods was also representative of life. With fire came heat, knowledge and civilization. When Frankenstein gave life to his creature, he usurped the power of God and nature. The ability to give life was not meant to be an ability possessed by humans, just as fire was meant to be reserved for the gods alone. In his quest for the ability to create and prolong life, Frankenstein once again calls Prometheus to mind. By placing his desire to be able to create and prolong life above God's law, he places man above God. Prometheus also elevates man's importance above that of the gods when he tricks Zeus, causing him to choose the worst parts of animals to sacrifice to the gods. The myth says: “Prometheus had not only stolen fire for men; he had also made sure that they got the best part of any sacrificed animal and the gods got the worst. » Finally, just as Prometheus had to suffer for his violations, so too is Frankenstein. Rather than being fed eternally by a giant eagle (“a red eagle/must come?/and feast on fury?”), he had all his loved ones kidnapped by his creation. Ironically, the result of his desire to create life was the destruction of it for himself, as well as everyone he loved. Frankenstein's tragic hubris mirrors that of Prometheus, each disregarding divine laws in favor of their personal ambitions and each paying a high price for it. Ultimately, the allusion to Prometheus allows for a fuller development of Frankenstein's character and state of mind, while also emphasizing the rebellion he commits against God. In the novel, Frankenstein's creation compares himself to both Adam and Satan. The monster said: “I should be your Adam, but I am rather the fallen angel, whom you drive away from joy without any mischief. » Originally, he considers himself Adam because he is the creation of Frankenstein, without whom he would have no life. Gradually, however, he realizes that he is more like Satan. Like Satan, he is rejected by his creator rather than adopted as in the case of Adam. But before he has fully accepted his creator's rejection, he again compares himself to Adam. He does this when he asks Frankenstein to create a companion who is like him an Eve for this grotesque Adam. When Frankenstein acquiesces, it seems that the monster may be playing Adam's role after all - but this is not the case. Fearing the possibility of reproduction,,.