The Intertextual Influence of Paradise Lost on Characterisation in Frankenstein

Abstract

Paradise Lost by John Milton and Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus by Mary Shelley are two widely debated works of English Literature. Milton’s epic poem is a retelling of the fall of man from the bible book of Genesis. Shelley’s gothic horror novel frequently alludes to this biblical poem, whereby it provides a framework for the characterisation of Victor and the unnamed creature, and whereby it provides moral layer to the novel that explores good and evil in both Paradise Lost and the non-fictional world. This thesis will explore the intertextual relationship between Paradise Lost and Frankenstein by first exploring the characters of Satan and God in Paradise Lost in order to gain insight onto what exactly is being alluded to in Frankenstein. Then this thesis will explore Victor and the unnamed creature in Frankenstein, to conclude the effects of these allusions on the interpretation of characters and morality in both Frankenstein and Paradise Lost.