Frankenstein Playing God Quotes

It may appear very strange, that a disciple of Albertus Magnus should arise in the eighteenth century; but our family was not scientifical, and I had not attended any of the lectures given at the schools of Geneva. My dreams were therefore undisturbed by reality; and I entered with the greatest diligence into the search of the philosopher’s stone and the elixir of life.

– Mary Shelley

Frankenstein, Chapter 1. Victor Frankenstein offers a hint here of his desire to act as God and explore outside the norms of science and knowledge. From 1818 First Edition.

No one can conceive the variety of feelings which bore me onwards, like a hurricane, in the first enthusiasm of success. Life and death appeared to me ideal bounds, which I should first break through, and pour a torrent of light into our dark world. A new species would bless me as its creator and source; many happy and excellent natures would owe their being to me. No father could claim the gratitude of his child so completely as I should deserve theirs.

– Mary Shelley

Frankenstein, Victor Frankenstein in Chapter 4. Victor doesn’t just have a scientific curiosity about the world and how it works. But he is arrogant and holds moral view of a world where science is the source of light, and the natural boundaries are darkness which must be overcome. He sees himself as a parental figure, bringing new individuals into the world, and a human god.

The different accidents of life are not so changeable as the feelings of human nature. I had worked hard for nearly two years, for the sole purpose of infusing life into an inanimate body. For this I had deprived myself of rest and health. I had desired it with an ardour that far exceeded moderation; but now that I had finished, the beauty of the dream vanished, and breathless horror and disgust filled my heart.

– Mary Shelley

Frankenstein, Chapter 5. When the creature awakens and the result of his bid to create life turns out to be monstrous, Victor realizes that he made a mistake and his dream to be god-like should have remained a dream.

“Remember 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.”

– Mary Shelley

Frankenstein, Chapter 10. The monster, who longs for love, blames Victor for his evil actions by failing to provide him with a loving, nourishing environment. He compares Victor to God and rebukes him for casting him as the fallen angel instead of Adam. In his allusions to the bible, the creature is referencing God’s love, which is at the heart of Christianity.

“Accursed creator! Why did you form a monster so hideous that even you turned from me in disgust? God, in pity, made man beautiful and alluring, after his own image; but my form is a filthy type of yours, more horrid even from the very resemblance. Satan had his companions, fellow devils, to admire and encourage him, but I am solitary and abhorred.”

– Mary Shelley

Frankenstein, Chapter 15. The monster rages against his creator Victor Frankenstein for having played God, by making him into a hideous version of man.
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