Final answer:
The subtitle 'The Modern Prometheus' alludes to Victor Frankenstein's overreaching actions similar to the myth of Prometheus who stole fire from the gods, symbolizing that Victor's scientific endeavors will lead to dangerous outcomes.
Step-by-step explanation:
The subtitle of Frankenstein is 'The Modern Prometheus.' This allusion implies that Dr. Victor Frankenstein, like the mythical figure Prometheus, engages in overreaching by attempting to attain forbidden knowledge and power. Prometheus stole fire from the gods to give to humanity, thus challenging the gods' authority and enduring an eternal punishment. The ‘fire’ in this context symbolizes forbidden knowledge, suggesting that Victor's quest to create life and defy natural boundaries will have grave consequences.
Throughout Frankenstein, the idea of a problem, such as Victor's revulsion at his own creation, prompts questions about Victor's motives and the morality of his actions. The comparison between Victor and these ancient scholars from LibreTexts™ exemplifies the lengths he goes to, and the danger in seeking knowledge that should perhaps remain out of human hands. These themes serve as a cautionary tale much like the stories of Icarus and the monsters within respectable society as seen in similar literature.