Comparison Of Victor And Satan In Paradise Lost

The novel Frankenstein focuses on the story of Victor Frankenstein and his creation, the monster. Once the monster was created, Victor realized that the monster should not have been formed. Victor’s tragic fate was a direct result of his inability to accept and conquer the problem he had created. As soon as Victor witnesses his creation come to life, he scrambles out of his lab in fear of the monster. Victor was appalled by what he had brought to life declaring, “I beheld the wretch… the miserable monster whom I had created” (Shelley 52). The great scientist now ran in fear of his work. The inability of Victor to control his fear and face his failure was the root of his suffering. Victor attempted to play God and created life, however he was …show more content…
Shelley presents Victor as the Satan of the novel. Both Victor and Satan start out as pure beings with good intent; however, they both decide at some point that they can be as powerful or superior to God. Satan revolted against God and was punished for his actions. He had gathered a following that believed they could overthrow an omnipotent being. They were cast out into chaos where they were to remain in punishment their actions (Milton lines 27-100). Victor started out as an innocent man, but became corrupt. His overwhelming desire to create life like a god mimics Satan’s desire to be more powerful than God. Dr. Frankenstein later realizes that he went down a forbidden path. He analyzes his actions. He notes that he has believed himself to be Adam, but in reality he is the fallen angel (Shelley 89). Victor unlike Satan, does have some redeeming qualities towards the end of the story. After the monster kills multiple people he loves and his life is over, he devotes his existence to the destruction of the monster. While this could be perceived as an eternal punishment, Victor is finally taking responsibility for his actions. However, it is too late at this point to gain any sort of sanctity. Victor dies after suffering for almost his entire adult life as he watched his friends and family die by the hands of his creation. Just as Satan’s followers were …show more content…
Throughout the story Victor was offered many chances to take action against the monster and confess his actions, but instead decides to try and clean up his mess silently. When William is murdered, the blame was put on Justine because the monster placed an heirloom on her, Victor knows she is innocent and is given a chance to testify that she is innocent, but he denies to show any evidence of the monster that could help Justine (Shelley 72-75). Victor’s actions display an unwillingness to conquer his fear of the monster, which is the main underlying problem in the novel. Justine did not have to die, but Victor would have had to expose himself as a maniac and failure. It is apparent that Victor values his public image over most other aspects of his life. Victor wanted to construct the monster to boost his image, he did not want to be labeled a mad man when Justine or Henry were murdered. Victor may have believed his fate could be salvaged, but his demise was inevitable. Ultimately, Victor needed to address the monster when it was created instead of running away. Once he left the apartment, he could not stop the key from turning. Victor destroyed not only his life, but the lives of those around him by delaying his own downfall. After Elizabeth’s death, Victor attempts to tell people of the monster, but without any proof he was labeled mad. Victor had