Paradise Lost and Frankenstein share how little control we have to control our fate. In Paradise Lost God always had Satan under his control and was able to undue or influence his actions. In Frankenstein, however, the monster is not always under control by Victor but isn't able to change how people perceive him. Both novels seem to emphasize the lack of control we have over our lives because although characters who perceive predetermination attempt to change it by doing what they can do best, the predestined identity and fate still remain regardless of their efforts. Mary Shelly’s motives behind making these comparisons are to give emphasis to both the Monster and Victor's actions, as well as to show the morals behind them. Victor's intellectual curiosity and ambition do not contribute to any scientific advancement or social progress. Instead, he destroys a family and, symbolically, populates the world with monstrous fantasies portraying that his actions are more comparable to Satan in Paradise Lost. From its inception, the creature is looked down on by Frankenstein, who soon sends it away for being a “vile insect!” (Shelly 139). While Victor is solely to blame for his own fate which he created for himself and those around him based on his groundless actions, God as well loses grip on Satan and creates the self-fault of the individual’s vainglory. Satan leaves heaven not because of being banished but because he feels that he is in a higher position in the angel hierarchy making him too important to bow down to the Son. Once their creations have left, God and Victor Frankenstein both feel their own wrath.
The Monster’s actions “brought madness with it, and when I thought of what had passed, a real insanity possessed me” (Shelley 290-291). The Monster decides the best way to destroy Victor’s life is to fill him with guilt. The murders of William, Justine, and Clerval leave Victor “laying for two months on the point of death” (Shelly 240), and soon blames himself for the death of his former friends. While the Monster is portrayed as being alone in the world, “Like Adam, I was apparently united by no link to any other being in existence; but his state was far different from mine in every other respect. He had come forth from the hands of God a perfect creature, happy and prosperous, guarded by the especial care of his Creator; he was allowed to converse with, and acquire knowledge from, beings of a superior nature: but I was wretched, helpless, and alone.” (Shelly 190-191. However he reminds Victor “that I am thy creature; I ought to be thy Adam, but I am rather the fallen angel, whom thou drivest from joy for no misdeed. Everywhere I see bliss, from which I alone am irrevocably excluded. I was benevolent and good; misery made me a fiend. Make me happy, and I shall again be virtuous.”(Shelly 140-141) By comparing Victor to God, the monster gives responsibility for his evil deeds to Victor, forcing him grief for his neglectful failure to provide a good environment for him to live in. He tells Victor during their first real conversation that he “The words induced me to turn towards myself. I learned that the possessions most esteemed by your fellow creatures were high and unsullied descent united with riches. A man might be respected with only one of these advantages, but without either, he was considered, except in very rare instances, as a vagabond and a slave, doomed to waste his powers for the profits of the chosen few! ” (Shelley 174).
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The similarities between Satan and the monster are implied that since Satan is the cause of men falling, which formulates from “Paradise Lost,” the creature may just be a spawn of Satan. While God only has his paradise tarnished, Victor has his destroyed as well.” Many times I considered Satan as the fitter emblem of my condition; for often, like him, when I viewed the bliss of my protectors, the bitter gall of envy rose within me.” (Shelley 191). The creature speaks these words to Victor, showing the reality that Shelley attributes the creature to more than the actions of a singular “Paradise Lost” character. The fallen angel in question is Satan, who became the ruler of Hell after falling from God’s kingdom. Victor’s first word to the monster, that being “Devil” (Shelly 139), provides the view that Satan is in part of the creature’s character. Another similarity can be found in the evil tendencies of both. The creature tells Victor that he came to the decision that “Evil thenceforth would be my good” (Shelly 340). This quote obviously comes from Satan’s dialogue from “Paradise Lost.” The character traits and conventions that Victor Frankenstein and his creature display are almost the same as those of Adam, God, and Satan from “Paradise Lost” in more than one way. It is important for those who read through these two pieces of literature to interpret and learn from the actions of the characters. After all, it is every person’s desire to achieve his or her own paradise, whether that be in the present or in the supposed afterlife. If one ever does achieve this, the last thing you want is to wind up having your, “Paradise Lost”.
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