Introduction
“Frankenstein” by Mary Shelley and “Paradise Lost” by John Milton offer contrasting messages to the reader about humanity and its place in the universe. While “Paradise Lost” provides a more traditional and religious interpretation of human beings as a divinely ordained species, Shelley’s “Frankenstein” re-imagines the human condition as one of fallibility and vulnerability. We can discern Shelley and Milton’s views on humankind and their message to readers by examining each text’s characters, themes, and language.
Humankind in “Frankenstein” and “Paradise Lost”
Milton’s View
In “Paradise Lost,” Milton presents a traditional Christian interpretation of humanity’s role in the universe, in which humankind is a divinely ordained species with a specific purpose and destiny. God made Adam and Eve the first human beings, and they were given the Garden of Eden to live in perfect harmony with nature. He created Adam in his image: “in the image of God” (Milton 213). Despite their disobedience and eventual expulsion, the author portrays Adam and Eve as having a special place in God’s creation and a destiny to fulfill. Humans are presented as having a unique relationship with God and a special place in the universe.
Shelley’s Perspective
By contrast, Shelley builds the most unnatural character possible from humans by creating an artificial life form. Victor Frankenstein’s monster is the ideal outsider: he lives alone, without a home or a name, and must establish his existence from scratch. Frankenstein’s creation has no name, which is the first time Shelley dehumanizes him, yet the creature has good attributes that equal or exceed those of his creator.
As the creature matures, he becomes the most articulate and engaging character. Frankenstein considers his connection to nature a human characteristic, describing his wish to dwell in South America as “peaceful and human” (Shelley 292). Suppose the creature’s violent impulses and unattractive looks are ignored. In that case, he has the complete gamut of human emotions, great intelligence, and incredible physical fortitude—he is fundamentally a superior version of man.
Nonetheless, Frankenstein demonstrates a much more pessimistic view of humanity’s place in the world, in which humans are susceptible to their fallibility and vulnerability. Victor is presented as a flawed individual with a lack of moral judgment and an inability to accept responsibility for his actions. From the creature’s perspective, the novel paints a picture of a world hostile to different people and a society that fails to see beyond its prejudices. For instance, Frankenstein said: “Nothing is so painful to the human mind as a great and sudden change.” (Shelley 378). Victor’s creation is constantly seen as a monster by society, both mentally and physically.
Although the creature possesses the physical qualities of a monster, he only develops the monster’s mindset and conduct after being continuously rejected by humankind. Frankenstein also emphasized that the various accidents of life are not as changeable as human nature’s sentiments (Shelley 144). Through the characters of Victor and the creature, Shelley suggests that humankind is ultimately powerless and vulnerable in the face of nature and its creations.
Conclusion
Mary Shelley and John Milton offer contrasting messages in their respective works. While “Paradise Lost” presents humans as having a special place in the universe and a destiny to fulfill, “Frankenstein” warns of the dangers of unchecked ambition and the fragility of human mortality. Both works offer a cautionary tale to the reader, and each serves as a reminder of humankind’s place in the universe and its ultimate vulnerability.
Works Cited
Milton, John. Paradise Lost. Oxford University Press, 2005.
Shelley, Mary. Frankenstein. Broadview Press, 2012.