From Prometheus to Frankenstein, Dr Faustus to Oppenheimer, the idea that the quest for knowledge is somehow forbidden and to seek it, therefore, destructive, has been a constant theme in literature. The myth of Prometheus has influenced western literature for over 2000 years. Why? In Greek myth, Prometheus created Man from clay, against the wishes of Zeus. He further angered Zeus by stealing fire by lighting a torch from the Chariot of the Sun and taking hot coals to Man.
Writers and painters throughout history have used the Promethean myth as an allusion to make two distinct points: the quest for forbidden knowledge and the strength to resist oppression. Let's consider a few writers who took Prometheus as a theme to discuss the pursuit of knowledge and where it can lead. The myth first appeared in the Greek epic poem 'Theogony', written by Hesiod around 700 BC, where Prometheus appears as an upstart trickster who steals fire from the gods. 'Prometheus'' means 'foresight'' and in Hesiod's account, 'foresight'' is doomed to get the better of Heaven and so,
to punish his insolence, he is chained to a rock where his liver is plucked out and eaten daily by an eagle for all eternity. In Hesiod, the story reinforces the theodicy of Zeus, who is wise and just, whilst Prometheus, in over reaching for knowledge that wasn't his to take, is to blame for humanity's sorry condition. Aeschylus, 5th Century Greek tragedian, while telling the same story, has a different angle. For him, Prometheus, as well as the bringer of fire and civilization to Man, is also their preserver. Zeus had intended to destroy humanity and create a new race.
So in this version Prometheus symbolizes resistance to oppression. Frankenstein, or, The Modern Prometheus, was written by Mary Shelley and was published in eighteen eighteen. Victor Frankenstein is the name of the scientist who creates the monster. Victor, just like Prometheus, arrogantly assumed the power to act as a Creator with no regard for the potential consequences. In his quest for knowledge he over reaches the limitations of human wisdom and like Prometheus, is punished.
Prometheus and Victor rebel against the laws of nature and are punished with the loss of life and liberty whilst Frankenstein's creation rails against his own existence. Mary Shelley's reworking of the Prometheus myth can be interpreted as an allusion to the heedlessness and irresponsibility of Man's pursuit of knowledge at the expense of wisdom. I think the Promethean myth retains its power as an allusion, in our technological age, because the point being made is an ethical one: in our quest for knowledge, are we forgetting our moral obligations to also use this knowledge wisely?