Many blog posts seem to have explored the benefits and detriments of technology or science in our technologically advanced world. While most attention is immediately placed on science or technology, it is also important for us to look at human nature. This concept of human nature is expressed through the over-ambition of both Robert Walton and Victor Frankenstein. The over-ambitious efforts of Robert and Victor help cause their predicaments.
Robert’s extravagant desire to venture towards the cold and bleak land of Archangel is not accepted by anyone who knows him, certainly not his sister. When he initially writes to Margaret Saville, his sister, he reminds her that she “regarded” this trip with such evil forebodings,” revealing that Margaret does not approve of this perilous voyage (Shelley 51). She believes that Robert’s voyage is too ambitious and can result in more despair than glory or success. In fact, Margaret is not the only one who feels this way. Robert still wishes that “some encouraging voice would answer in the affirmative,” concerning his excessive determination to sail to the poles of Archangel (Shelley 53). It confirms the truth that no one truly wants Robert to put himself in predicaments for his passionate ambition. Nevertheless, Robert chooses to continue on the dangerous voyage, due to his ambition and desire, knowing fully well that Margaret could “never hear from [him] again” (Shelley 56). Robert disregards the safety and importance of his life in order to fulfill his extravagant ambition. This desire causes him and his sailors to be surrounded by ice on Archangel.
Similarly, Victor becomes so enthused and filled with passion from the scientific knowledge he gains from his studies that he desires to create life. His over-ambition to create out of nothing becomes a detriment to him when his creation is finished. As he contemplates making life, he imagines that “a new species would bless [him] as its creator and source,” and that “happy and excellent natures would owe their being to him” (Shelley 80). Victor ponders on how gratifying this achievement would be for him, but neglects the despair and danger that comes from attempting to create life. He does not understand that this ambition to be father of a new species would cost him much more than he would ever gain. Thus, he becomes so engulfed in this task that he cannot stop working on it. As he narrates his past to Robert, Victor remembers “dabbl[ing] among the unhallowed damps of the grave and torturing the live animal to animate the lifeless clay,” which explains how this ambition has toiled with his sanity (Shelley 81). His mind only thinks solely on fulfilling this extravagant desire and he takes bizarre and over-ambitious efforts to achieve this desire. In addition, Victor feels the physically and mental strain of being overwhelmed by his ambition. He mentions that “[his] limbs now tremble, and [his] eyes swim with the remembrance; but then a resistless, and almost frantic impulse, urge[s] him forward” (Shelley 81). Victor seems to have lost his control over this ambition. His conscience is held captive by the passionate desire to pursue this one ambition, and this becomes highly detrimental to him.
The power of over-ambition in the text helps to explain these two characters vividly. Robert and Victor both seem to have their eyes fixed on things that are too costly to achieve in real life and this becomes a massive problem for both characters.
