The Role of Knowledge in Paradise Lost and Frankenstein Throughout history, most human societies have valued knowledge and have used knowledge to improve the state of their civilizations. However, both Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein and John Milton’s Paradise Lost discuss the dangers of knowledge. In Paradise Lost, fruit from the Tree of Knowledge causes the fall of man and introduces humanity to sin. In Frankenstein, Victor Frankenstein’s thirst for knowledge leads to the creation of a monster and causes great despair for him and his entire family. However, even though both Shelley and Milton present their audiences with the dangers of knowledge, they do not view knowledge as completely evil. Shelley believes that knowledge can be good as long
…show more content…
Eve, unlike Adam, does not follow God’s commands and is curious about evil. She believes that it is important to know vice and defeat it rather than to live a sheltered existence. She argues that “what is faith, love, virtue, unassayed Alone, without exterior helped sustained?” (Milton 9.335-336). Once Eve is alone, Satan is able to tempt her with “what might lead To happier life, knowledge of good and evil” from the Tree of Knowledge (Milton 9.696-967). Though her curiosity eventually leads to her own downfall, Milton seems to support her reasoning and thirst for knowledge. Paradise Lost brings up the idea that in order to make informed decisions, one must have access to as much knowledge and wisdom as possible. The fact that Satan provides to Eve with flawed knowledge would indicate that she just didn’t have enough information to make a good …show more content…
Shelley argues that it is important to gain knowledge without becoming overly ambitious. She also argues that it is important for one to maintain their humanity and social connections while seeking knowledge in order to prevent one from becoming a monster. On the other hand, Milton seems to believe that in order for humans to be able to make better decisions, it is necessary for them to have as much knowledge as possible. However, Shelley’s argument considers the moral and ethical issues that scientists must face when striving to make new discoveries. If scientists were to follow Milton’s logic, they would make many more discoveries, but the world would also start to view science as a monster similar to the one created by Victor Frankenstein. For these reasons, it is best to not be overly ambitious when striving to attain
Eve, unlike Adam, does not follow God’s commands and is curious about evil. She believes that it is important to know vice and defeat it rather than to live a sheltered existence. She argues that “what is faith, love, virtue, unassayed Alone, without exterior helped sustained?” (Milton 9.335-336). Once Eve is alone, Satan is able to tempt her with “what might lead To happier life, knowledge of good and evil” from the Tree of Knowledge (Milton 9.696-967). Though her curiosity eventually leads to her own downfall, Milton seems to support her reasoning and thirst for knowledge. Paradise Lost brings up the idea that in order to make informed decisions, one must have access to as much knowledge and wisdom as possible. The fact that Satan provides to Eve with flawed knowledge would indicate that she just didn’t have enough information to make a good …show more content…
Shelley argues that it is important to gain knowledge without becoming overly ambitious. She also argues that it is important for one to maintain their humanity and social connections while seeking knowledge in order to prevent one from becoming a monster. On the other hand, Milton seems to believe that in order for humans to be able to make better decisions, it is necessary for them to have as much knowledge as possible. However, Shelley’s argument considers the moral and ethical issues that scientists must face when striving to make new discoveries. If scientists were to follow Milton’s logic, they would make many more discoveries, but the world would also start to view science as a monster similar to the one created by Victor Frankenstein. For these reasons, it is best to not be overly ambitious when striving to attain