nowledge, specifically power over nature, leads to disaster. Dr. Frankenstein seeks to create life, whatever the cost. The doctor is driven by his belief that there is nothing greater in life than the mind and will of men, especially great men, a category in which he certainly includes himself. If the doctor were in a Greek tragedy, one would speak of his hubris, his putting himself above the gods, or God. He believes that there are no limits to what he can do in his desire to conquer nature, even life and death: "Why not still proceed over the untamed yet obedient element? What can stop the determined heart and resolved will of man?" (Shelley 8). Yet when success is realized, the doctor is horrified: "The beauty of the dream vanished, and breathless horror and disgust filled my heart" (Shelley 42). As the magistrate says to the doctor after his creation has killed his beloved, "How ignorant art thou in thy pride of wisdom!" (Shelley 184). Even then, the doctor sees himself as the only one who knows what is going on and what must be done. He rages at the monster, never fully realizing he is the monster, a man who ha
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