Why is Frankenstein sub-titled “A Modern Prometheus"?

• Prometheus was a Titan, entrusted with power from the Olympian Gods to create mortals out of clay. Victor Frankenstein used his intelligence, which some would argue is a gift from God, to create artificial life using dead body parts.

• Both Frankenstein and Prometheus go too far with their power and do not accept their own limits.

• Frankenstein is tortured by his monster; Prometheus’ own torturer is the bird of prey that feasts on him.

• Prometheus is destined to spend an eternal lifetime in Tartarus, the hell of the underworld in Greek mythology, as he stole fire from the gods and gave it to mortals. Prometheus’ punishment is that he was to be tied upon a rock eternally and his liver be pecked at by an Eagle, with it growing again every day. Similarly, Victor dedicates his life to finding the monster he has created in order to kill it; this is his eternal punishment for abusing the power he had.

• Frankenstein resurrected old body parts and Prometheus was resurrected everyday.

• Frankenstein and Prometheus are punished for their lack of respect for natural human order.