Frankenstein and Its Classics is the first collection of scholarship
dedicated to how Frankenstein and works inspired by it draw on ancient
Greek and Roman literature, history, philosophy, and myth. Presenting
twelve new essays intended for students, scholars, and other readers of
Mary Shelley's novel, the volume explores classical receptions in some
of Frankenstein's most important scenes, sources, and adaptations. Not
limited to literature, the chapters discuss a wide range of modern
materials-including recent films like Alex Garland's Ex Machina and
comics like Matt Fraction's and Christian Ward's Ody-C-in relation to
ancient works including Hesiod's Theogony, Aeschylus's Prometheus
Bound, Ovid's Metamorphoses, and Apuleius's The Golden Ass.
All together, these studies show how Frankenstein, a foundational work
of science fiction, brings ancient thought to bear on some of today's
most pressing issues, from bioengineering and the creation of artificial
intelligence to the struggles of marginalized communities and political
revolution. This addition to the comparative study of classics and
science fiction reveals deep similarities between ancient and modern
ways of imagining the world-and emphasizes the prescience and ongoing
importance of Mary Shelley's immortal novel. As Frankenstein turns
200, its complex engagement with classical traditions is more
significant than ever.
