Frankenstein is more the coward than a hero.
Frankenstein, or the Modern Prometheus, by Mary Shelley follows an eccentric young scientist who creates a grotesque creature in an unorthodox scientific experiment. On the surface, the novel's protagonist seems to retain the admirable qualities of a hero in his attempt to create life and ironically by setting out to destroy the life that he has given to his monster. However by the end of the novel, it is clear that Victor is in fact the instrument of his own struggles as well as being afraid to stand up for his responsibilities as a paternal figure, leading to the unjust deaths of innocent people that he doesn't try to prevent before but rather justifies after the act is already done. Victor's ultimate goals in life are often considered as heroic on their own. Although he is presented with the clearly easier option of staying in the comfort of his house, surrounded by family as well as his loving soul mate Elizabeth, Victor heroically sets out to "penetrate the secrets of nature", to ultimately eliminate death from the world. The protagonist's curiosity and ambition, although will come to haunt him in the future, is still extremely admirable as he is driven by his will to put his knowledge to use, in the process, sacrificing any chance of a happy domestic life he could have had with Elizabeth and his family.
Frankenstein's strength and willpower is further reiterated in his determination to "pursue the daemon who caused [this] misery" and eliminate the evil that can harm others although he knows that the monster is significantly stronger than he is. Through Victor's determination to destroy what he has himself created until he himself or the monster "perish in mortal conflict " he is sacrificing his own life in order to avenge the monster for all the unjust deaths he had caused as well as taking responsibility for his mistakes although he knows that the pursuit of the monster is likely to end in his death.
