Exploring the character of Victor Frankenstein in Mary Shelley’s ‘Frankenstein’
I can explain how Mary Shelley presents Frankenstein as a hubristic character by looking at selected extracts from the novel ‘Frankenstein’.
Exploring the character of Victor Frankenstein in Mary Shelley’s ‘Frankenstein’
I can explain how Mary Shelley presents Frankenstein as a hubristic character by looking at selected extracts from the novel ‘Frankenstein’.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Victor Frankenstein is portrayed as a highly hubristic and arrogant character who plays God.
- Victor relentlessly pursues knowledge to its limits, to the detriment of his own sanity, and the lives of others.
- Shelley uses hyperbolic language to characterise Frankenstein as hubristic.
- Frankenstein regrets his hubris and ambition, acknowledging that it has destroyed him physically and mentally.
- Shelley warns us of the corruptive nature of ambition, especially when pursued by those without respect for boundaries.
Keywords
Hubris - excessive pride or arrogance
Playing God - taking control of decisions or interventions that should be reserved for God
Hyperbolic language - language that exaggerates
To corrupt - has the power to make people behave immorally or wickedly
To pursue - to try and obtain something - to chase after something
Common misconception
Pupils do not appreciate the extent of Frankenstein's immorality.
In pursuit of knowledge, Frankenstein broke natural and political laws. He robbed graves and tortured live animals to achieve his ambition.
Equipment
You need access to a copy of selected extracts from Mary Shelley's 'Frankenstein' all of which can be found in the slide deck.
Content guidance
- Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
- Depiction or discussion of serious crime
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).
Lesson video
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