107+ Frankenstein Quotes [Mary Shelley]

The novel “Frankenstein” by Mary Shelley is a classic work of literature that explores themes of creation, ambition, responsibility, and the nature of humanity.

There are several key quotes from the novel that reflect its major themes and contribute to the overall characterization of the story.

Here are some notable characteristics of Frankenstein quotes:

• Ambition and Scientific Pursuit: One prominent characteristic of Frankenstein quotes is the emphasis on ambition and the pursuit of scientific knowledge. Victor Frankenstein, the protagonist, is driven by his ambition to unlock the secrets of life and create a living being. This theme is captured in quotes such as “Learn from me… how dangerous is the acquirement of knowledge, and how much happier that man is who believes his native town to be the world, than he who aspires to become greater than his nature will allow” (Chapter 4). These quotes highlight the cautionary aspect of ambition and the potential consequences of exceeding the limits of human capability.
• Responsibility and Consequences: Another characteristic of Frankenstein quotes is the exploration of responsibility and the repercussions of one’s actions. Victor Frankenstein creates the Creature but fails to take responsibility for it. This theme is reflected in quotes like “I beheld the wretch—the miserable monster whom I had created” (Chapter 5). These quotes demonstrate the weight of responsibility and the devastating consequences that can arise from neglecting it.
• Isolation and Alienation: Many quotes in Frankenstein convey a sense of isolation and alienation, experienced both by the Creature and Victor Frankenstein. The Creature, rejected by society, reflects on his loneliness in quotes such as “I am alone and miserable; man will not associate with me” (Chapter 10). Victor also experiences isolation as he grapples with the guilt and horror of his creation. Quotes on isolation reveal the psychological and emotional toll it takes on the characters, emphasizing their sense of being outsiders.
• The Nature of Humanity: Frankenstein quotes often delve into the nature of humanity and what it means to be human. The Creature contemplates his own existence and longs for connection, expressing this in quotes like “I am an unfortunate and deserted creature; I look around, and I have no relation or friend upon earth” (Chapter 10). These quotes raise philosophical questions about the essence of humanity, the role of compassion, and the consequences of societal rejection.
• Themes of Monstrosity: A recurring characteristic of Frankenstein quotes is the exploration of monstrosity, both physical and psychological. While the Creature is physically hideous, the novel delves deeper into the idea of monstrosity residing in human actions and the absence of empathy. Quotes like “Beware; for I am fearless, and therefore powerful” (Chapter 16) reveal the complexities of monstrosity and the potential for darkness within human beings.

Overall, the quotes in Frankenstein contribute to the novel’s exploration of ambition, responsibility, isolation, the nature of humanity, and the themes of monstrosity.

They highlight the moral and ethical dilemmas faced by the characters and offer insights into the deeper philosophical questions raised by Shelley’s masterpiece.

Frankenstein Quotes

Here are some quotes from Mary Shelley’s “Frankenstein”:

1. “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.” (Chapter 4)
2. “Learn from me… how dangerous is the acquirement of knowledge, and how much happier that man is who believes his native town to be the world, than he who aspires to become greater than his nature will allow.” (Chapter 4)
3. “Beware; for I am fearless, and therefore powerful.” (Chapter 16)
4. “I ought to be thy Adam, but I am rather the fallen angel.” (Chapter 10)
5. “I am alone and miserable; man will not associate with me.” (Chapter 10)
6. “I was benevolent and good; misery made me a fiend.” (Chapter 24)
7. “I have love in me the likes of which you can scarcely imagine and rage the likes of which you would not believe.” (Chapter 24)
8. “I am malicious because I am miserable.” (Chapter 20)
9. “I saw the hideous phantasm of a man stretched out, and then, on the working of some powerful engine, show signs of life and stir with an uneasy, half-vital motion.” (Chapter 5)
10. “I cannot describe to you the agony that these reflections inflicted upon me; I tried to dispel them, but sorrow only increased with knowledge.” (Chapter 23)
11. “Life, although it may only be an accumulation of anguish, is dear to me, and I will defend it.” (Chapter 22)
12. “Believe me, Frankenstein: I was benevolent; my soul glowed with love and humanity; but am I not alone, miserably alone?” (Chapter 20)
13. “The world to me was a secret, which I desired to divine. Curiosity, earnest research to learn the hidden laws of nature, gladness akin to rapture, as they were unfolded to me, are among the earliest sensations I can remember.” (Chapter 2)
14. “I was, besides, endued with a figure hideously deformed and loathsome; I was not even of the same nature as man.” (Chapter 15)
15. “I, the miserable and the abandoned, am an abortion, to be spurned at, and kicked, and trampled on.” (Chapter 17)
16. “You seek for knowledge and wisdom, as I once did; and I ardently hope that the gratification of your wishes may not be a serpent to sting you, as mine has been.” (Letter 4)
17. “I shunned the face of man; all sound of joy or complacency was torture to me; solitude was my only consolation—deep, dark, deathlike solitude.” (Chapter 10)
18. “The fallen angel becomes a malignant devil. Yet even that enemy of God and man had friends and associates in his desolation.” (Chapter 15)
19. “Did I request thee, Maker, from my clay to mould me man? Did I solicit thee from darkness to promote me?” (Chapter 15)
20. “Unhappy man! Do you share my madness? Have you drunk also of the intoxicating draught? Hear me; let me reveal my tale, and you will dash the cup from your lips!” (Chapter 24)
21. “I continued to wind among the paths of the wood, until I came to its boundary, which was skirted by a deep and rapid river, into which many of the trees bent their branches, now budding with the fresh spring.” (Chapter 9)
22. “My imagination was vivid, yet my powers of analysis and application were intense; by the union of these qualities I conceived the idea and executed the creation of a man.” (Chapter 4)
23. “In a scientific pursuit, there is continual food for discovery and wonder.” (Chapter 2)
24. “I ought to be thy Adam; but I am rather the fallen angel.” (Chapter 10)
25. “I was possessed by a maddening rage when I thought of him, and desired and ardently prayed that I might have him within my grasp to wreak a great and signal revenge on his cursed head.” (Chapter 20)
26. “I saw an insurmountable barrier placed between me and my fellow-men; this barrier was sealed with the blood of William and Justine.” (Chapter 17)
27. “Nothing is so painful to the human mind as a great and sudden change.” (Chapter 23)
28. “Once my fancy was soothed with dreams of virtue, of fame, and of enjoyment. Once I falsely hoped to meet with beings who, pardoning my outward form, would love me for the excellent qualities which I was capable of bringing forth.” (Chapter 17)
29. “But it was all a dream; no Eve soothed my sorrows nor shared my thoughts; I was alone.” (Chapter 17)
30. “I beheld those I loved spend vain sorrow upon the graves of William and Justine, the first hapless victims to my unhallowed arts.” (Chapter 20)
31. “I was guiltless, but I had indeed drawn down a horrible curse upon my head, as mortal as that of crime.” (Chapter 20)
32. “I have murdered the lovely and the helpless; I have strangled the innocent as they slept and grasped to death his throat who never injured me or any other living thing.” (Chapter 23)
33. “We rest; a dream has power to poison sleep.” (Chapter 7)
34. “The companions of our childhood always possess a certain power over our minds which hardly any later friend can obtain.” (Chapter 1)
35. “But success shall crown my endeavors.” (Chapter 2)
36. “Like Adam, I was apparently united by no link to any other being in existence.” (Chapter 15)
37. “Life and death appeared to me ideal bounds, which I should first break through, and pour a torrent of light into our dark world.” (Chapter 19)
38. “I have love in me the likes of which you can scarcely imagine and rage the likes of which you would not believe. If I cannot satisfy the one, I will indulge the other.” (Chapter 24)
39. “Nothing contributes so much to tranquillize the mind as a steady purpose—a point on which the soul may fix its intellectual eye.” (Chapter 2)
40. “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.” (Chapter 10)
41. “Oh! no mortal could support the horror of that countenance.” (Chapter 5)
42. “My heart was fashioned to be susceptible of love and sympathy, and when wrenched by misery to vice and hatred, it did not endure the violence of the change without torture such as you cannot even imagine.” (Chapter 16)
43. “I am satisfied, miserable wretch, that you do not see your own criminality.” (Chapter 21)
44. “A fiendish rage animated him as he said this; his face was wrinkled into contortions too horrible for human eyes to behold.” (Chapter 24)
45. “Yet from whom has not that rude hand rent away some dear connection? And why should I describe a sorrow which all have felt, and must feel?” (Chapter 10)
46. “I am malicious because I am miserable. Am I not shunned and hated by all mankind?” (Chapter 20)
47. “He appeared about fifty years of age, but with an aspect expressive of the greatest benevolence; a few gray hairs covered his temples, but those at the back of his head were nearly black.” (Chapter 17)
48. “Life, although it may only be an accumulation of anguish, is dear to me, and I will defend it.” (Chapter 22)
49. “I have lately been so engaged in one occupation that I have not allowed myself sufficient rest, as you see; but I hope, I sincerely hope, that all these employments are now at an end and that I am at length free.” (Chapter 24)
50. “Oh! what a miserable night I passed! The cold stars shone in mockery, and the bare trees waved their branches above me.” (Chapter 9)
51. “How dangerous is the acquirement of knowledge and how much happier that man is who believes his native town to be the world, than he who aspires to become greater than his nature will allow.” (Chapter 4)
52. “The fallen angel becomes a malignant devil. Yet even that enemy of God and man had friends and associates in his desolation.” (Chapter 15)
53. A human being in perfection ought always to preserve a calm and peaceful mind and never to allow passion or a transitory desire to disturb his tranquillity.” (Chapter 12)
54. “All men hate the wretched; how then, must I be hated, who am miserable beyond all living things! Yet you, my creator, detest and spurn me, thy creature, to whom thou art bound by ties only dissoluble by the annihilation of one of us.” (Chapter 17)
55. “I am satisfied: miserable wretch! you have determined to live, and I am satisfied.” (Chapter 21)
56. “Remember that I have power; you believe yourself miserable, but I can make you so wretched that the light of day will be hateful to you.” (Chapter 23)
57. “I, the miserable and the abandoned, am an abortion, to be spurned at, and kicked, and trampled on.” (Chapter 17)
58. “He struggled violently. ‘Let me go,’ he cried; ‘monster! Ugly wretch! You wish to eat me and tear me to pieces. You are an ogre. Let me go, or I will tell my papa.'” (Chapter 15)

Please note that these quotes are attributed to specific chapters in the novel and may vary depending on different editions or translations of the book.

Inspirational Frankenstein Quotes

Inspirational Frankenstein Quotes:

1. “Life, although it may only be an accumulation of anguish, is dear to me, and I will defend it.” – Mary Shelley, Frankenstein
2. “Beware; for I am fearless, and therefore powerful.” – Mary Shelley, Frankenstein
3. “Learn from me, if not by my precepts, at least by my example, how dangerous is the acquirement of knowledge.” – Mary Shelley, Frankenstein
4. “The world was to me a secret which I desired to divine.” – Mary Shelley, Frankenstein
5. “Nothing contributes so much to tranquilize the mind as a steady purpose – a point on which the soul may fix its intellectual eye.” – Mary Shelley, Frankenstein
6. “I have love in me the likes of which you can scarcely imagine, and rage the likes of which you would not believe.” – Mary Shelley, Frankenstein
7. “The companions of our childhood always possess a certain power over our minds which hardly any later friend can obtain.” – Mary Shelley, Frankenstein
8. “There is something at work in my soul which I do not understand.” – Mary Shelley, Frankenstein
9. “I will pioneer a new way, explore unknown powers, and unfold to the world the deepest mysteries of creation.” – Mary Shelley, Frankenstein
10. “The world to me was a secret, which I desired to discover.” – Mary Shelley, Frankenstein

Short Frankenstein Quotes

Short Frankenstein Quotes:

1. “It was on a dreary night of November.” – Mary Shelley, Frankenstein
2. “I had desired it with an ardour that far exceeded moderation.” – Mary Shelley, Frankenstein
3. “Life and death appeared to me ideal bounds, which I should first break through and pour a torrent of light into our dark world.” – Mary Shelley, Frankenstein
4. “The tortures of hell are too mild a vengeance for thy crimes.” – Mary Shelley, Frankenstein
5. “I saw the dull yellow eye of the creature open.” – Mary Shelley, Frankenstein
6. “I am alone and miserable; man will not associate with me.” – Mary Shelley, Frankenstein
7. “I am malicious because I am miserable.” – Mary Shelley, Frankenstein
8. “Seek happiness in tranquility and avoid ambition, even if it be only the apparently innocent one of distinguishing yourself in science and discoveries.” – Mary Shelley, Frankenstein
9. “I ought to be thy Adam; but I am rather the fallen angel.” – Mary Shelley, Frankenstein
10. “I will pioneer a new way, explore unknown powers, and unfold to the world the deepest mysteries of creation.” – Mary Shelley, Frankenstein

Funny Frankenstein Quotes

Funny Frankenstein Quotes:

1. “Beware of mad scientists wielding scalpels!” – Unknown
2. “I’m not a monster, I’m just misunderstood.” – Unknown
3. “Who needs a date when you can bring your own monster to the party?” – Unknown
4. “Frankenstein’s monster had it easy; at least he didn’t have to deal with social media.” – Unknown
5. “Frankenstein’s secret to success: always keep a spare brain handy.” – Unknown
6. “I’m just a regular guy, trying to bring dead things to life. No big deal.” – Unknown
7. “Frankenstein’s monster: the original bad hair day.” – Unknown
8. “If you think your family is weird, you haven’t met Frankenstein’s relatives.” – Unknown
9. “Why did the monster go to the doctor? To get his bolts tightened!” – Unknown
10. “Frankenstein’s monster could have been a great hair model – it’s all about the volume!” – Unknown

Famous Frankenstein Quotes

Famous Frankenstein Quotes:

1. “I am alone and miserable; man will not associate with me.” – Mary Shelley, Frankenstein
2. “You are my creator, but I am your master; obey!” – Mary Shelley, Frankenstein
3. “Beware; for I am fearless, and therefore powerful.” – Mary Shelley, Frankenstein
4. “I ought to be thy Adam; but I am rather the fallen angel.” – Mary Shelley, Frankenstein
5. “I have love in me the likes of which you can scarcely imagine, and rage the likes of which you would not believe.” – Mary Shelley, Frankenstein
6. “I see by your eagerness, and the wonder and hope which your eyes express, my friend, that you expect to be informed of the secret with which I am acquainted.” – Mary Shelley, Frankenstein
7. “Life, although it may only be an accumulation of anguish, is dear to me, and I will defend it.” – Mary Shelley, Frankenstein
8. “I will pioneer a new way, explore unknown powers, and unfold to the world the deepest mysteries of creation.” – Mary Shelley, Frankenstein
9. “The companions of our childhood always possess a certain power over our minds which hardly any later friend can obtain.” – Mary Shelley, Frankenstein
10. “Learn from me, if not by my precepts, at least by my example, how dangerous is the acquirement of knowledge.” – Mary Shelley, Frankenstein

Deep Frankenstein Quotes

Conclusion

The world of Frankenstein, created by Mary Shelley, is filled with a wide range of quotes that inspire, provoke thought, and even bring a touch of humor.

From the profound insights into human nature and the pursuit of knowledge to the iconic expressions of loneliness and misunderstood existence, these quotes continue to resonate with readers and spark contemplation.

Whether it is the timeless words of the creature seeking acceptance or the cautionary tales of the dangers of ambition, Frankenstein’s quotes encapsulate the enduring themes of the novel.

They remind us of the power of creation, the complexities of life, and the profound impact our actions can have on the world around us.

Through its quotes, Frankenstein continues to captivate and provoke deep reflection, leaving a lasting impression on readers for generations to come.

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