Romanticism is a literary movement which is marked by several key components, many of which are observable in Mary Shelley's Frankenstein. One element of Romanticism is the belief that imagination is able to lead to a a new and more perfect vision of the world and those who live in it. In this novel, Victor Frankenstein is the idealist who wants to create life from nothing; that is the ultimate ideal, marking victor as a Romantic. In another sense, Victor's actions demonstrate the Romantic renunciation of science and reason over emotion and nature. Victor's Romantic quest for the scientific ideal,
“ So much has been done, exclaimed the soul of Frankenstein—more, far more, will I achieve; treading in the steps already marked, I will pioneer …show more content…
Prometheus stole fire from the gods (he reached too far) and was punished for it, just as Victor overreaches by playing God and creating life and is then punished for it. Victor finally seems to succumb to the idea of a higher power, “ I trod heaven in my thoughts, now exulting in my powers, now burning with the idea of their effects. From my infancy I was imbued with high hopes and a lofty ambition. (Shelly 597)”. He’s admitting that he denounced any higher power and believed to be seated in his own divine throne. While in the same breath confessing that it was through his scientific pursuits that had led him to such a tragic fate. Science and logic is bad while god and beauty is good. Two other elements of Romanticism consistent within the novel are: male friendship and the sense of the sublime. Both of which contribute greatly to the psyche of the main character, Victor Frankenstein. Perceived as the greatest of loves, the friendship between two men was exalted by Romantics for its purity of spirit and trustworthiness. Concerned about Victor after the death of his brother William, Henry hurries to Victor to comfort him. Afterwards, Victor …show more content…
Additionally, there’s also the romantic element of the sense of the sublime. The romantic poet William Wordsworth defined the sublime as the "mind [trying] to grasp at something which it approaches but which it is incapable of attaining.( MacMillan 56 ).” This feeling arises from the contemplation of awe-inspiring phenomena of nature that become symbolic of inner spiritual realities. Often termed a "realm of experience beyond the measurable," the sublime is experienced by Victor Frankenstein when he sojourns with his friend Henry in the Alps. There Victor feels in communion with Nature as he contemplates the vast mountains, the icy glacier wall, and the "solemn silence of this glorious presence-chamber of imperial Nature," These sublime and magnificent scenes afforded me the greatest consolation that I was capable of receiving. They elevated me from all littleness of feeling; and although they did not remove my grief, they subdued and tranquilized it ( Shelly 247 ).” This "sublime ecstasy" gives "wings to the soul" of Frankenstein, and allows him to forget the cares of his life, if only briefly. Romanticism plays an inherent and fundamental role within Frankenstein. There are several very specific romantic ideals consistent throughout the novel. Victor
“ So much has been done, exclaimed the soul of Frankenstein—more, far more, will I achieve; treading in the steps already marked, I will pioneer …show more content…
Prometheus stole fire from the gods (he reached too far) and was punished for it, just as Victor overreaches by playing God and creating life and is then punished for it. Victor finally seems to succumb to the idea of a higher power, “ I trod heaven in my thoughts, now exulting in my powers, now burning with the idea of their effects. From my infancy I was imbued with high hopes and a lofty ambition. (Shelly 597)”. He’s admitting that he denounced any higher power and believed to be seated in his own divine throne. While in the same breath confessing that it was through his scientific pursuits that had led him to such a tragic fate. Science and logic is bad while god and beauty is good. Two other elements of Romanticism consistent within the novel are: male friendship and the sense of the sublime. Both of which contribute greatly to the psyche of the main character, Victor Frankenstein. Perceived as the greatest of loves, the friendship between two men was exalted by Romantics for its purity of spirit and trustworthiness. Concerned about Victor after the death of his brother William, Henry hurries to Victor to comfort him. Afterwards, Victor …show more content…
Additionally, there’s also the romantic element of the sense of the sublime. The romantic poet William Wordsworth defined the sublime as the "mind [trying] to grasp at something which it approaches but which it is incapable of attaining.( MacMillan 56 ).” This feeling arises from the contemplation of awe-inspiring phenomena of nature that become symbolic of inner spiritual realities. Often termed a "realm of experience beyond the measurable," the sublime is experienced by Victor Frankenstein when he sojourns with his friend Henry in the Alps. There Victor feels in communion with Nature as he contemplates the vast mountains, the icy glacier wall, and the "solemn silence of this glorious presence-chamber of imperial Nature," These sublime and magnificent scenes afforded me the greatest consolation that I was capable of receiving. They elevated me from all littleness of feeling; and although they did not remove my grief, they subdued and tranquilized it ( Shelly 247 ).” This "sublime ecstasy" gives "wings to the soul" of Frankenstein, and allows him to forget the cares of his life, if only briefly. Romanticism plays an inherent and fundamental role within Frankenstein. There are several very specific romantic ideals consistent throughout the novel. Victor