Prometheus Myth

The Release of Prometheus, oil on canvas by Carl Bloch, 1864.

Text: Frankenstein (1818), Volume 1 Chapters 1–2  Companion Text: Prometheus Myth

Learning Objective: I am able to make my learning visible through writing, discussion, close reading, synthesis, and analysis

The "Why": This brief mythic story provides a scaffold for interpreting Victor Frankenstein’s ambition.

Essential Question: How does Mary Shelley frame Victor Frankenstein as a modern Prometheus?

Wanting Something Too Much

FFW (5 min, 10 sentences): Describe a time you wanted something so badly that you ignored a warning or consequence. What happened? What was the outcome? Would you do it again?

Share out and listen for the emotion behind the decision

Introducing the Myth of Prometheus

What you just wrote about — wanting something deeply, even when it might be risky — is one of the oldest human stories. Before we dive further into Frankenstein, we need to meet someone from ancient mythology. His name is Prometheus.

Prometheus was a Titan, a powerful god-like figure from Greek mythology. He saw that humans were suffering in the cold and dark. The gods had fire, but humans did not. Prometheus decided to steal fire from the gods and give it to humanity. Fire brought warmth, light, technology, and the beginning of civilization. But for this act of rebellion, Zeus punished Prometheus. He chained him to a rock, and every day an eagle came to eat his liver. His liver grew back each night, and the pain never ended. Prometheus was a symbol of both sacrifice and defiance.

As you watch, answer the following questions in your notebook:

1. What kind of figure does this myth create?

2. What is the cost of giving humans knowledge?

Close Reading in Pairs: Victor’s Childhood

Now that you know the story of Prometheus, we are going to return to Frankenstein. Today we are focusing on Volume 1, Chapters 1 and 2. These chapters describe Victor’s early life. Shelley is deliberate in how she introduces Victor’s ambition.

Annotation Instructions:

1. Underline any language about ambition, desire, or destiny

2. Star anything that feels like a warning or red flag

3. Circle any allusions to light, fire, or knowledge

As you read, answer these questions in the margins:

• What is Victor drawn to?

• What motivates him?

• What do you notice about Shelley’s tone?

• What do you think this text reveals about Victor’s motivation?

• In what ways does this remind you of Prometheus?

The "Why": This task promotes textual analysis and builds foundational evidence for interpretation. Students annotate visibly, showing their thought process. Pair work creates a low-pressure space for meaning-making and reinforces comprehension through dialogue.

Loop Writing: Connecting Victor to Prometheus

Let’s take that analysis even deeper through writing. This next exercise is called loop writing. We use it in Bard College Writing and Thinking because it allows us to push beyond our first idea.

Prompt: Where do we see echoes of Prometheus in Victor’s childhood?

1. You will write for two minutes without stopping. Do not edit. Just get your ideas on the page.

   
   

2. Then pause, reread what you wrote, and underline one sentence that feels powerful.

   
   

3. After that, write again for another two minutes, starting from or building on that sentence.

   This is about discovery. You do not need to prove anything. You are trying to understand how Shelley is setting up Victor’s ambition and possible downfall.

Start timer for 2 min

Go ahead and begin your first round now.

[After 2 minutes:] Stop and reread what you wrote. Underline one sentence that feels honest or interesting. Now write again for two more minutes. Start with that sentence or extend the idea.

[At the end:] Finish your thought. Put a star next to one sentence you might want to share.

Why: Loop writing supports analysis through personal voice. It helps students identify patterns and deepen interpretation. The act of selecting a strong sentence reinforces metacognition.

Share out

Exit Ticket: Is Victor a Tragic Hero?

FFW (5 min, 10 sentences) Based on today’s reading, is Victor Frankenstein more of a tragic hero or a cautionary tale? Use evidence from both the novel and the Prometheus myth. Be specific.

Share out

Tomorrow, we are going to look at what happens when Victor starts experimenting with the creation of life. We will ask what responsibility a creator has and how Shelley wants us to feel about scientific ambition.

Options for Learning Enrichment

1. Draw a two-panel comic tonight showing Victor as Prometheus.

2. Revise your loop writing into a brief story.

3. Find a modern version of Prometheus in science or media via online research

The "Why": Offering differentiated extensions affirms student choice and multiple modes of engagement.