In Hellenic tradition, Prometheus is a titan who stole fire from the Olympian Gods and gave it to mankind, beginning the ascent of man to culture. Zeus, enraged that Prometheus would dare give humanity an element exclusive to the Gods, ordered Prometheus chained to the side of a mountain doomed, to have his liver repeatedly pecked out by buzzards for all eternity.
There are several thematic connections that can be immediately drawn between the myth and Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, aptly subtitled The Modern Prometheus. Obviously both works explore the creation of sentient life — Dr. Frankenstein actually piecing together and animating a human carcass and Prometheus in giving the means of culture so humanity could gain sentience.
The creators’ motives varied drastically, and as a result so do their creations. Prometheus gifted fire because he loved man, seeing the species’ potential and enjoying watching them from his perch on Olympus. In several Latin translations of the myth, Prometheus sculpts man from clay in the ground, further demonstrating his act as one of compassion. Victor Frankenstein on the other hand was motivated by the ego-driven desire to push the bounds of science, to “seek the secret of life.”
Because of the difference in their creators intention, the two creations behave differently. Because Prometheus nurtured mankind, and taught them how to use fire, they thrived. Frankenstein, on the other hand was revolted by his creation, immediately fleeing and neglecting the newly born life. As a result, Frankenstein’s monster is violent, manic, and vengeful.