Frankenstein may have been written as a horror story, but the ideas and themes prevalent in the novel are ones that humans have grappled with for centuries. From ancient Greek myths to the Bible, the story Shelley tells is ancient, full of depth and far-reaching implications of antiquity. The allusions that Shelley makes in Frankenstein, also known as The Modern Prometheus, to the antecedents of his story increase the impact it has. In Shelley's novel, allusions to the myth of Prometheus and the biblical account of creation provide parallel characters for Frankenstein and his creation, from which meaningful comparisons can be drawn and the rebellion each perpetrates can be emphasized. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essay Victor Frankenstein shares many characteristics with the mythical character Prometheus. Like Prometheus, he commits a transgression 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 warmth, 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 supposed to be a capacity possessed by humans, just as fire was supposed to be only for gods. In his search for the ability to create life again, Frankenstein is still reminiscent of Prometheus. By placing his desire for the ability 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 deceives Zeus , making him choose the worst parts of the animals to sacrifice to the gods. The myth says: "Prometheus had not only stolen fire from men, but had also arranged for them to receive the best part of any sacrificed animal and the gods the worst." Finally, just as Prometheus had to suffer for his violations, so did Frankenstein. Instead of being fed eternally by a giant eagle (“a red eagle/ will come?/ and celebrate with fury?”), however, all of his loved ones were taken away by his creation. Ironically, the result of his desire to create life was his destruction for himself, as well as all those he loved. Frankenstein's tragic arrogance mirrors that of Prometheus, each disdaining divine laws in favor of personal ambition and each paying a heavy price for doing so. Ultimately, the allusion to Prometheus provides a fuller development of Frankenstein's character and mentality, while also emphasizing the rebellion he commits against God. In the novel, Frankenstein's creation compares himself to both Adam and Satan. The monster says: "I should be your Adam, but I am rather the fallen angel, whom you drive away with joy without any wrongdoing." He initially sees himself as Adam because he is the creation of Frankenstein, without whom he would not have life. Gradually, however, he realizes that he is more like Satan. He, like Satan, is rejected by his creator, rather than embraced as in the case of Adam. Before fully accepting his creator's rejection, however, he compares himself again to Adam. He does so when he asks Frankenstein to create a companion who is like him an Eve for this grotesque Adam. When Frankenstein agrees, it seems that the monster may, after all, play the role of Adam, but this is not the case. Fearing the possibility of reproduction, Frankenstein abandons his new creation and the monster once again returns to the status of Satan. The monster must remain forever alone and separate. Now, however,,.