Group+8

taylor av-dawg and syd-dawgs group //**It’s creation and how the monster came to be. Frankenstein**// Dr. Frankenstein, The creator of the monster defies natural law when he creates abnormal life by the way of science. His creation ultimately fails as it turns against its creator as a result of the faults and abandonment by Dr. Frankenstein. This is a common theme in many essays which explores the creation of life by science. Not only is it a rebellion to religion but to political and societal morality and to the boundaries of science. Kim Woodbridge’s essay entitled “The Birth of the Monster” emphasizes the parental role and how Dr. Frankenstein overstepped boundaries of childbirth. Also it points out the vital role of women that they play in the development and care of children. “Mary Shelley, in the development and education of the monster, discusses child development and education and how the nurturing of a loving parent is extremely important in the moral development of an individual.”(Woodbridge) It also stresses the personal struggles Mary Shelly experienced in her life such as miscarriages and the premature death of her infant child at still such a young age which lead her to develop the story of Frankenstein. “Pregnancy and childbirth, as well as death, was an integral part of Mary Shelley's young adult life.”(Woodbridge). Shelly’s novel expresses the very insightful idea that science can become dangerous and lead to destruction if not carefully harnessed. When the story was written technological advances began to break through and all its wonder and the answers that it could provide seemed endless. The craze of scientific discoveries however is checked by Mary’s insight of the problems it could also create in its expedition to know more. In another essay by an anonymous donor entitled, “Frankenstein” the author emphasizes the time period and how it influenced Mary’s imagination to the perverse and abuse of knowledge. “Scientists and physicians of her time were tempted by the boundaries between life and death, constantly experimenting with lower organisms, human anatomical studies, a. . .”(anonymous). As the creatures existence is the sole actions of the doctor it is reasonable to assume that the creatures monstrous actions where a result of the neglect of the doctor. The choice the monstrous body parts and from his hideous and grotesque looks the monster was treated with resentment and hatred. The peasants automatically assumed such a creature would be violent and dangerous to society. However the monster was capable of learning and understanding the human race. He took pity upon the peasants and their misfortune. He also observed their happiness and contentment. “Oh! No mortal could support the horror of that countenance. I gazed at him while he was unfinished, he was ugly then; but then those muscles and joints were rendered capable of motion, it became a thing such as even Dante could not as conceived.”(Page 57 Shelly) evidence 1 http://www.kimwoodbridge.com/maryshel/birth.shtml evidence 2[| http://www.123helpme.com/preview.asp?id=66226]
 * Part 1 Frankenstein and Promethmeus**



Prometheus In reference to Prometheus Unbound by Percy Shelley, The story of Frankenstein has parallels to its overall theme. Prometheus was a titan chained to a high rock on a cliff and forced to have his liver consumed by an eagle for eternity. Prometheus’s punishment was due to his decision to give fire to the human race. Fire, while it can provide warmth and cook foods can also lead to destruction and pain. This is symbolic in the story of Frankenstein when the monster first discovers fire and learns of its values and also its ability to cause devastation. Frankenstein, a scientist, explores the realms of knowledge and tempts fate by pushing the limits of science. He ultimately died as a result of the struggles with his creation. Despite the parallels of the two stories I see a huge contrasting point. Prometheus’s decision to rebel against the god, to go against their wishes, and to give fire to humans was an unselfish act. However, Dr. Frankenstein’s creation steamed from his own greed. He wished to create a scientific break through. He sought to prove to others his genius and establish himself as a prodigy among academic minds. Although Prometheus was tortured and sent to the cliff for eternity he overcomes Jupiter’s punishment and is saved by his marriage to Asia and by the Demogordon. He overcomes his suppression by the Gods.I see Prometheus a more of a championing of free will or hope and idealism in the face of oppression. "To suffer woes which Hope thinks infinite; To forgive wrongs darker than death or night; To defy Power, which seems omnipotent; To love, and bear; to hope till Hope creates From its own wreck the thing it contemplates; Neither to change, nor falter, nor repent; This, like thy glory, Titan, is to be Good, great and joyous, beautiful and free; This is alone Life, Joy, Empire, and Victory" (Shelley) In contrast Dr. Frankenstein becomes consumed by the thoughts of the hideous creation. He becomes obsessed with its creation and when it does come alive he is tortured by its presence. He tries to abandon the monster but this proves disastrous as the monster kills Frankenstein’s brother and his wife. Frankenstein is suppressing himself by his obsession to rid the world of the monstrosity he created, chasing it to the ends of the earth. evidence 1[|**http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prometheus_Unbound**] evidence 2 [|http://links.jstor.org/sici?sici=0277-335X(198605)51%3A2%3C136%3AEOS%3E2.0.CO%3B2-E]

(taken from the introduction of Shelley play) He defends his choice to adapt Aeschylus' myth - his choice to have Jupiter overthrown rather than Prometheus reconciled. Shelley compares his Romantic hero Prometheus to Milton's proto-Romantic hero Satan from Paradise Lost.
 * In truth, I was averse from a catastrophe so feeble as that of reconciling the Champion with the Oppressor of mankind. The moral interest of the fable, which is so powerfully sustained by the sufferings and endurance of Prometheus, would be annihilated if we could conceive of him as unsaying his high language and quailing before his successful and perfidious adversary. ||
 * In truth, I was averse from a catastrophe so feeble as that of reconciling the Champion with the Oppressor of mankind. The moral interest of the fable, which is so powerfully sustained by the sufferings and endurance of Prometheus, would be annihilated if we could conceive of him as unsaying his high language and quailing before his successful and perfidious adversary. ||
 * The only imaginary being, resembling in any degree Prometheus, is Satan; and Prometheus is, in my judgement, a more poetical character than Satan, because, in addition to courage, and majesty, and firm and patient opposition to omnipotent force, he is susceptible of being described as exempt from the taints of ambition, envy, revenge, and a desire for personal aggrandizement, which, in the hero of Paradise Lost, interfere with the interest. ||
 * The only imaginary being, resembling in any degree Prometheus, is Satan; and Prometheus is, in my judgement, a more poetical character than Satan, because, in addition to courage, and majesty, and firm and patient opposition to omnipotent force, he is susceptible of being described as exempt from the taints of ambition, envy, revenge, and a desire for personal aggrandizement, which, in the hero of Paradise Lost, interfere with the interest. ||


 * PART II - MODERN PROMETHEUS**

//2001: A Space Odyssey// and the myth of Prometheus share many qualities. In both works, otherworldly artifacts cause problems for the earth dwellers. In the opening scenes of //2001//, man-apes are examining a monolith that seems to have appeared from the sky. Soon after this encounter, a man-ape discovers the first tool and uses it to kill. Likewise, Prometheus steals fire from heaven and gives it to the humans. The humans in turn use fire to kill and cause trouble. Another similarity occurs in the use of Jupiter. In //2001//, the monoliths turn out to come from Jupiter. In the Prometheus myth, he steals the fire from Jupiter and is later punished by him. The gifts given to the earth dwellers both turn out to be beyond their control.

In Ovid’s Prometheus, he creates man from clay. As we all know, man turns out to be a little crazy and cause a lot of problems. In //2001//, man creates the computer, HAL. HAL is very advanced and is treated as another crewmember aboard the spacecraft. HAL majorly malfunctions and starts to kill the crew. This part of the movie also relates back to Frankenstein because of the creation gone awry.

//2001: A Space Odyssey// is not only concerned with the development and evolution of humanity from man-apes, but also the evolution that may occur in the future. The novel version of //2001// proposes that in the future man might rid themselves of the technology that has caused their demise and also their material bodies (which is a little weird). We think that the relationship between advanced creations, technology, and today’s society is very strong. We live in a world where people are constantly competing for more advanced technology, and in ways trying to play God. As we have learned from Prometheus, this can’t be good. ([|http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2001:_A_Space_Odyssey_(film))]

http://www.themystica.com/mystica/articles/s/sin_and_rebellion_archetypal_transgressions_against_the_gods.html

[|http://www.rci.rutgers.edu/~cjager/prometheus.html]

http://www.kimwoodbridge.com/maryshel/bushi.shtml