Victor Frankenstein, Robert Walton, and Ozymandias have one common definitive characteristic: the thirst for greatness. Although each had their own end goal, the basic premise was that they create something that would allow them to leave their mark on history. Each man’s goal has defined who they are, yet like Ozymandias, their monuments shall fade from society.
Victor Frankenstein was blessed with the thirst for knowledge and advancement which he went on to use for what he believed to be a wonderful cause. Frankenstein stumbles upon the realization that he could use his childhood love of alchemy and his education on modern chemistry to discover the secret of life itself. He believed he had a duty to humanity to end the fear of death. Of course, this was accompanied with the hope to go down in history as well, as seen in his declaration that, “I will pioneer a new way, explore unknown powers, and unfold to the world the deepest mysteries of creations.”
Though his quest to better mankind is still visible, Robert Walton’s desire to be remembered is a more prominent feature in his research. Walton purposely removes himself from the luxuries his wealth can afford him to seek out the thing that will make him wealthy in a more powerful way. He sees greatness as something owed to him for this sacrifice as he says, "...do I not deserve to accomplish some great purpose? My life might have been in ease and luxury, but I preferred glory to every enticement that wealth placed in my path."
Finally, Ozymandias's pursuit of greatness was an architectural marvel rather than a scientific discovery yet his success may foreshadow the end product of both Frankenstein and Walton's goals. Ozymandias's giant statue corroded by the sands of time even though his monument was huge. He believed that by putting his all into this statue, he would live forever in the eyes of society. This view is much like that of Walton and Frankenstein, signaling the inevitable fall into obscurity. As seen in the description of Ozymandias's monument, "Half sunk, a shattered visage lies", the world will pass on and other things will be deemed of greater importance.
Finally, Ozymandias's pursuit of greatness was an architectural marvel rather than a scientific discovery yet his success may foreshadow the end product of both Frankenstein and Walton's goals. Ozymandias's giant statue corroded by the sands of time even though his monument was huge. He believed that by putting his all into this statue, he would live forever in the eyes of society. This view is much like that of Walton and Frankenstein, signaling the inevitable fall into obscurity. As seen in the description of Ozymandias's monument, "Half sunk, a shattered visage lies", the world will pass on and other things will be deemed of greater importance.
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