The tale of “El Dorado” dates to the Spanish people in the sixteenth century. Allegedly, this story discusses a mythical tribal king of the indigenous people who covered himself in gold and submerged himself in Lake Guaravita (“El Dorado”). However, there have been various locations mentioned over the years of where “El Dorado” truly resides as well as interpretations of the story throughout history. Historians have been able to piece together the true details of the myth over the years.

In Shelley’s literary work, she discusses the location of Bellerive, which is located near Switzerland. This secluded area of Switzerland contains various villages with a wide demographic of people (“Bellerive, Switzerland”). Frankenstein is advised to escape his town and visit this place in the novel. While there with his family, he reflects on various emotions he is experiencing related to the creation of his monster that has terrorized the community. Frankenstein is feeling guilty for the innocent lives lost because of his eternal quest for knowledge.

Mary Shelley, along with her Husband Percy Bysshe Shelley, spent time in Geneva while she wrote the novel Frankenstein; or, the Modern Prometheus. In the novel, the Frankenstein family is from Geneva. In the preface of the novel Shelley says, “I passed the summer of 1816 in the environs of Geneva. The season was cold and rainy, and in the evenings we crowded around a blazing wood fire” (Shelley). The couple spent a great amount of time at the Villa Diodati in Geneva with Lord Byron due to the inclement weather hindering their travel.