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Frankenstein Mary Shelley was raised in a unique period of human history, a period when the secularization of civilization was just beginning, a time when new philosophies of the world flourished while still saturated with the religious symbolism of a simpler time. New perspectives and some entirely new concepts were introduced into a culture that was largely embedded in Christian beliefs, and from it novel concepts of man’s relation to God dominated the romantic mindset. A few of these ideas are demonstrated in Shelley’s Frankenstein, and these same ideas are eloquently expressed by the great minds of the time in memorable quotes. In this essay three quotes will be discussed: one by Milton, by Godwin and by Rousseau. “Hell is the burning ignorance of the eternally self-absorbed soul.” – Milton This quote by Milton expressed an original idea of the time, the idea that hell is not so much a judgement by God then a self-created prison. This is exactly the experience of Frankenstein’s creation. The creature, throughout his entire existence, could never cease to think of its own misery. His entire tale is one of self-pity, without a moment’s gaze to heaven, and even his selfless actions, such as saving the chi