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Literary Sources of Frankenstein   Frankenstein is considered to be the superlative Gothic Romantic Novel. It is also generally thought of as the first of all science fiction invigorated. I have always been impressed and astounded by the fact that Mary wrote this novel when she was eighteen years old. What experiences and powers of supposition led to such an innovative and disturbing work?   The idea for the novel arose in the summer of 1816 when Mary Shelley was staying at Lord Byrons villa in geneva Switzerland. Not only did Mary incorporate experiences from that summer into her novel, she also utilize the sources that she had been reading and studying. Two in particular were the Metamorphoses by Ovid and Paradise at sea by Milton.   It is believed that Mary studied Ovid in April and May of 1815. The major factor that Ovid supplied to the theme of Frankenstein, was his presentation of the Prometheus legend. This is acknowledged in the subtitle Frankenstein, Or the new(a) Prometheus. The creation of the monster is similar to this passage from Ovid   Whether with particles of heavnly fire, The God of Nature did his intellect inspire Or earth, but new divided from the sky, And, pliant, still retaind thethereal cipher Which wise Prometheus temperd into paste, And, mixt with living streams, the godlike image cast... From such rude principles our make believe began And earth was metamorphosd into man.   Lines from Frankenstein that reflect the above passage are I undisturbed the instruments of life around me, that I might infuse a lightness of being into the lifeless thing that lay at my feet. (p.51)   ...that I may extinguish the spark which I so negligently bestowed. (Frankenstein p.101)     The second central literary influence was Paradise broken by Milton. ( If you have not read this, it is really worth the time. It is difficult, but is well worth the effort. I find that it is helpful to have a copy of Bul lfinchs Mythology when reading it. approximately all of Miltons mythological references are explained in Bullfinch.)   The influence of Miltons Paradise Lost can be seen directly from the epigraph of the 1818 edition of Frankenstein.   Did I request thee, nobleman from my clay to mould me man? Did I solicit thee, from darkness to grow me?   The spirit of Paradise Lost permeates Frankenstein throughout the novel.