Prometheus
An alternate title to Frankenstein is "The Modern Prometheus", which presents the first allusion in the novel. Prometheus is known as a titan in Greek mythology who gave the secret of fire to mankind. Upon discovering Prometheus' doings, Zeus punished Prometheus eternally by having him chained to a rock and everyday an eagle would come and peck at his liver and everyday his liver would regenerate (until Hercules rescues him).
To understand the allusion of Prometheus in the novel, one must first understand the symbol of fire. Not to go in too much detail, fire symbolizes knowledge - but dangerous knowledge at that. In this light, the allusion to Prometheus is very relevant in the novel as Victor Frankenstein (the modern Prometheus) discovered a special type of knowledge - the knowledge to imbue life into inanimate bodies. This knowledge, however, quickly proved to be a very dangerous knowledge as the creature whom he had created became a burden and curse upon Victor. The creature was tearing his life apart by taking away all those who were dear to him and any sanity he had remaining.
Just as Prometheus, Victor suffered from the dangerous knowledge which he knew. Prometheus suffered eternally with the eagle pecking away at his liver while Victor suffered his whole life until death due to this dangerous knowledge he had. This also connects to how Victor overreaches in his capabilities. Prometheus took it a step too for his boundaries and Victor also takes it a step too far, attempting to create a new species by his own ability.
To understand the allusion of Prometheus in the novel, one must first understand the symbol of fire. Not to go in too much detail, fire symbolizes knowledge - but dangerous knowledge at that. In this light, the allusion to Prometheus is very relevant in the novel as Victor Frankenstein (the modern Prometheus) discovered a special type of knowledge - the knowledge to imbue life into inanimate bodies. This knowledge, however, quickly proved to be a very dangerous knowledge as the creature whom he had created became a burden and curse upon Victor. The creature was tearing his life apart by taking away all those who were dear to him and any sanity he had remaining.
Just as Prometheus, Victor suffered from the dangerous knowledge which he knew. Prometheus suffered eternally with the eagle pecking away at his liver while Victor suffered his whole life until death due to this dangerous knowledge he had. This also connects to how Victor overreaches in his capabilities. Prometheus took it a step too for his boundaries and Victor also takes it a step too far, attempting to create a new species by his own ability.
God
This novel makes many allusions to the bible. One such is Victor as an allusion to God, as he is attempting to create an entirely new species, as God did with Adam. However, Victor is not God and as such cannot ever hope to achieve this goal as perfectly as God has. This relates back to the allusion to Prometheus in that Victor overreaches his capabilities and tries to take on the role of God - a role that he ultimately fails in.
Adam & Satan
As Adam is the creation of god and Victor is alluded to as god, the creature is thus alluded to as Adam - his creation to start a new race. The creature himself says that he is Victor's Adam, but immediately after this he compares himself to Satan. While he was the creation of Victor, he was rejected by the creator and then began his quest for vengeance, just as Satan.
"Oh Frankenstein, be not equitable to every other and trample upon me alone, to whom thy justice, and even thy clemency and affection, is most due. Remember that I am thy creature; I ought to be thy Adam, but I am rather the fallen angel."
"Oh Frankenstein, be not equitable to every other and trample upon me alone, to whom thy justice, and even thy clemency and affection, is most due. Remember that I am thy creature; I ought to be thy Adam, but I am rather the fallen angel."
Rime of The Ancient Mariner
"Coleridge's "Rime of the Ancient Mariner" tells the story of an ancient mariner who kills an albatross and brings upon himself and his ship's crew a curse. The ancient mariner travels the world, unburdening his soul, telling his story to whomever needs to hear it. Shelley alludes to the poem several times. Robert Walton in Frankenstein is similar to the Wedding Guest from "Rime of the Ancient Mariner," with Victor Frankenstein playing the role of the mariner. As the mariner feels compelled to share his story to one who needs to hear it, so does Victor. The explicit theme in "Rime of the Ancient Mariner," that love conquers all, is a clue as to how the tragedy that occurs in Frankenstein's life could have been avoided."