Research Paper On Alchemy

Alchemy

Picture alchemy in your mind. When you think of the word, a variety of creepy, mystical images may come to mind. Alchemy was a major scientific topic during the time Frankenstein by Mary Shelley was written. Alchemy was not only a science, but a spiritual tradition to its practitioners. Although many modern scientists may disagree, alchemy was an important advancement in modern chemistry. This is because of its main goals, its history, and major alchemists.

Alchemy was the beginning of the understanding of chemical sciences to humankind. “To understand the ever-evolving field of chemistry, which is sometimes called “the central science” because it connects natural sciences like physics, geology, and biology, it’s critical
“Alchemy was an early precursor to science and included many of the chemistry-related processes that have become known as the chemical arts—the working of metals and alloys, glassmaking and glass coloring, and the preparation and use of pigments, dyes, and therapeutic agents” (Lagowski). Alchemy was a popular science among many different countries and cultures. Its roots, however, came from Egypt and China, independently. Ancient Egyptian craftsmen worked skillfully with many metals, including gold. The mummification procedures and beliefs of life after death were tied very strongly to the development of alchemy in ancient Egypt. Most of the early ideas and information about alchemy was lost when Egypt was invaded by Christians. In China and India, alchemy was started with meditation and medicine that was meant to purify the body and spirit. These methods were used for achieving immortality. Beyond its original roots, alchemy has always been associated with many dark theories, including magic. Most alchemists were seeking out the hidden messages in nature. By doing so, many people were involved in alchemy to strengthen their spiritual life. However, around the fourteenth century, alchemy was becoming more and more identified with magic. Witch hunts were becoming more prominent during the time and practicing alchemists were often accused of
Agrippa was mentioned many times in Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein because of the major influences he had on Victor Frankenstein. “His goal was to discover a coherent body of knowledge that could bring about the rebirth of an ancient and holy wisdom that had been known to the wise men of old (pagan as well as Jewish and Christian) but had been corrupted and lost through the intervening centuries” (Nauert). The philosophies of Agrippa tie so well into Frankenstein because Victor felt that Agrippa’s writings were all about achieving the impossible, which is what he strived to do. Albertus Magnus was a Christian who believed Christianity and science were not meant to be hostile towards each other. He was accused of neglecting theology to instead practice magic and sorcery, but was later beatified and canonized as a saint (Crossref-it.info). Aristotle taught that all matter consists of four main elements, which were earth, air, fire, and water. All of nature was said to incorporate these elements in different combinations and proportions (Lagowski). Paracelsus was another major alchemist that influenced young Victor in Frankenstein. Paracelsus was one of the most important European alchemists after the middle ages. He felt drawn to alchemy and relied heavily on magic and superstition just as much as scientific observation. “Paracelsus believed that the body’s organs worked alchemically, that is, their function was to