Paracelsus And his Influence on Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein By: Cait Gravell

His Life: Auroleus Phillipus Theostratus Bombastus von Hohenheim, commonly known as Paracelsus, was born in 1493 in Einsiedeln, Switzerland. Auroleus Phillipus Theostratus Bombastus von Hohenheim, commonly known as Paracelsus, was born in 1493 in Einsiedeln, Switzerland. At the age of 14 he left home and traveled around Europe, learning much about medicine, astrology, and alchemy along the way. He became an army surgeon, and it is said that it was during this time that his wonderful cures began. At the age of 14 he left home and traveled around Europe, learning much about medicine, astrology, and alchemy along the way. He became an army surgeon, and it is said that it was during this time that his wonderful cures began. Following his time as a surgeon, he went to Germany where he became a professor of physics, medicine and surgery. Following his time as a surgeon, he went to Germany where he became a professor of physics, medicine and surgery.

His Life Cont… He soon became known as the “Luther of Physics,” because he denounced and burned the revered works of men like Galen. He soon became known as the “Luther of Physics,” because he denounced and burned the revered works of men like Galen. Paracelsus used unconventional ways of treating his patients, like utilizing minerals. He successfully treated syphilis by using mercury. He also disagreed with the practice of bloodletting and cauterizing wounds with tar to prevent infection. Paracelsus used unconventional ways of treating his patients, like utilizing minerals. He successfully treated syphilis by using mercury. He also disagreed with the practice of bloodletting and cauterizing wounds with tar to prevent infection.

Paracelsus… Because of his unconventional methods, and his denouncement of revered works of medicine, he lost his job. Because of his unconventional methods, and his denouncement of revered works of medicine, he lost his job. Paracelsus played a large part in changing medieval thought concerning medicine and many scientific debates of his time were often focused on his innovations. Paracelsus played a large part in changing medieval thought concerning medicine and many scientific debates of his time were often focused on his innovations.

Paracelsus… It is said that his studies and work laid the foundation for modern chemical physiology. He believed that the purpose of alchemy shouldn’t be to produce gold, but to concoct medications to treat disease. It is said that his studies and work laid the foundation for modern chemical physiology. He believed that the purpose of alchemy shouldn’t be to produce gold, but to concoct medications to treat disease. Paracelsus also believed in the three principles of Arabian alchemists, consisting of mercury (characterized by fluidity, heaviness, and metallicity), sulfur (characterized by the principle of inflammability), and salt (characterized by the principles of solidity and relative chemical inertness). Paracelsus also believed in the three principles of Arabian alchemists, consisting of mercury (characterized by fluidity, heaviness, and metallicity), sulfur (characterized by the principle of inflammability), and salt (characterized by the principles of solidity and relative chemical inertness).

Paracelsus… Paracelsus was the first to attempt to apply scientific principles toward medicine and was responsible for bringing alchemy and iatrochemistry together into the precursor of modern day pharmacology. Iatrochemistry was concerned with preparing substances in the simplest way, developing methods to insure consistent results, discovering the medical properties of substances, and finding new substances of medicinal value. He also heavily stressed the importance of experimentation and made it a common practice. Paracelsus was the first to attempt to apply scientific principles toward medicine and was responsible for bringing alchemy and iatrochemistry together into the precursor of modern day pharmacology. Iatrochemistry was concerned with preparing substances in the simplest way, developing methods to insure consistent results, discovering the medical properties of substances, and finding new substances of medicinal value. He also heavily stressed the importance of experimentation and made it a common practice.

Mary Shelley and Science It is known that Mary Shelley was an educated woman who understood and was aware of much of the science of her day, and of the past. Her husband was known to be fascinated with the power of science, and some attribute this to the fact that he believed in the omnipotence of man and was an Atheist. It is said, however, that Mary Shelley found the desire to become greater than nature frightening. It is known that Mary Shelley was an educated woman who understood and was aware of much of the science of her day, and of the past. Her husband was known to be fascinated with the power of science, and some attribute this to the fact that he believed in the omnipotence of man and was an Atheist. It is said, however, that Mary Shelley found the desire to become greater than nature frightening.

Mary Shelley and Science… Tropp writes, “The dangers accompanying such an attempt at transcendence were made clear to Mrs. Shelley when she looked at an ancient tradition that still survived [alchemy]…The ‘science’ of alchemy reduced the complexities of Nature to a few simple principles and held out hope that man could use these secrets to gain cosmic power.” Tropp writes, “The dangers accompanying such an attempt at transcendence were made clear to Mrs. Shelley when she looked at an ancient tradition that still survived [alchemy]…The ‘science’ of alchemy reduced the complexities of Nature to a few simple principles and held out hope that man could use these secrets to gain cosmic power.” Her father’s book St. Leon dealt with an alchemist who gained too much power. Her father’s book St. Leon dealt with an alchemist who gained too much power.

Mary Shelley… Tropp writes, “The medieval alchemist believed that one day, in a primitive laboratory, after repeated purifying, distilling, and refining, he would find the secrets to life and be like God…Two of the most famous alchemists, Albertus Magnus, and Paracelsus, are referred to in Frankenstein. They were well known to [Percy] Shelley, who pored over their works as a boy; considering the nature of the Shelleys’ relationship, they were doubtless familiar to Mary as well.” Tropp writes, “The medieval alchemist believed that one day, in a primitive laboratory, after repeated purifying, distilling, and refining, he would find the secrets to life and be like God…Two of the most famous alchemists, Albertus Magnus, and Paracelsus, are referred to in Frankenstein. They were well known to [Percy] Shelley, who pored over their works as a boy; considering the nature of the Shelleys’ relationship, they were doubtless familiar to Mary as well.”

In Mary Shelley’s novel, Victor Frankenstein speaks of his knowledge of Paracelsus and his discussion with a professor at the University. He says, “He heard with attention my little narration concerning my studies, and smiled at the names of Cornelius Agrippa and Paracelsus, but without the contempt that M. Krempe had exhibited. He said, that ‘these were men whose indefatigable zeal modern philosophers were indebted for most of the foundations of their knowledge. They had left to us, as an easier task, to give new names, and arrange in connected classifications, the facts which they in a great degree had been the instruments of bringing to light. The labours of men of genius, however, erroneously directed, scarcely ever fail in ultimately turning to the solid advantage of mankind” (28). In Mary Shelley’s novel, Victor Frankenstein speaks of his knowledge of Paracelsus and his discussion with a professor at the University. He says, “He heard with attention my little narration concerning my studies, and smiled at the names of Cornelius Agrippa and Paracelsus, but without the contempt that M. Krempe had exhibited. He said, that ‘these were men whose indefatigable zeal modern philosophers were indebted for most of the foundations of their knowledge. They had left to us, as an easier task, to give new names, and arrange in connected classifications, the facts which they in a great degree had been the instruments of bringing to light. The labours of men of genius, however, erroneously directed, scarcely ever fail in ultimately turning to the solid advantage of mankind” (28). Paracelsus and Frankenstein

The Alchemist’s dream… Frankenstein finds the secret to life and through his desire for this power, he creates a creature that is unleashed on a world that is not prepared. Frankenstein says, “What had been the study and desire of the wisest men since the creation of the world, was now within my grasp…I was like the Arabian who had been buried with the dead, and found a passage to life aided only by one glimmering, and seemingly ineffectual light” (31). Frankenstein finds the secret to life and through his desire for this power, he creates a creature that is unleashed on a world that is not prepared. Frankenstein says, “What had been the study and desire of the wisest men since the creation of the world, was now within my grasp…I was like the Arabian who had been buried with the dead, and found a passage to life aided only by one glimmering, and seemingly ineffectual light” (31).

The Dream Becomes a Nightmare After realizing the mistake he made in creating a creature that he could not control, Frankenstein says, “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” (31). After realizing the mistake he made in creating a creature that he could not control, Frankenstein says, “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” (31).