Krithik, Kannan Mrs. Marchetti/Mr. Webb Humanities, 4A 14, October 2017 Prometheus Bound Analysis Questions and Answers Question 1: Prometheus takes the human side in the negotiation because he sympathizes with their ongoing struggle for survival and also intends to make the world a better place. Prometheus realized that it was his duty to aid the humans when he “found them living in caves, and in holes of the Earth, shivering with cold because there was no fire…” (Baldwin et al. 1). Prometheus empathizes with the humans’ struggle for survival as they do not have fire or any of the techniques needed to survive. This follows the theme of someone of a higher status wanting to give the same opportunities that he/she had to someone of a lower …show more content…
When Prometheus asks Zeus to give the mortals fire, he states that it is best to “let [the humans] shiver with cold…..[and] to let them be poor and ignorant so that [the gods] may thrive and be happy.” (Baldwin et al. par.7). Zeus is extremely selfish and wants to keep the fire for himself, which makes him look like a villain to the humans. This shows how Prometheus does not appeal to the audience as a villainous deceiver of Zeus. Anyone who is extremely selfish can never be a hero as they only think about themselves. In this story, Prometheus is repeatedly depicted as a hero when he showed the mortals “ how to build houses out of wood and stone….tame sheep and cattle…….plow and sow and reap….protect themselves from storms of winter….[etc.]” (Baldwin et al. par. 13). Prometheus works extremely hard to teach the humans many techniques essential for survival and also risked his life when trying to steal fire. All of this is what makes him a hero to the humans. Anyone who goes out of their way to assist others in any form can be defined as a
Prometheus Bound is quite different from other tragedies in that it is peopled entirely by gods. The play focuses on the story of Prometheus, and we have versions of this myth in Hesiod's famous works. There is reason to think that the author of Prometheus Bound was not only acquainted with Hesiod's version but actually drew on Hesiod directly in this play. This essay therefore aims to establish in what ways the author of Prometheus Bound seems to have drawn from Hesiod's version of myth, in what ways he has diverged from it, and what reasons he might have had for making these changes and innovations. This might therefore highlight any particular emphasis or purpose of Prometheus Bound and what its author might have been trying to get across. Though there is not space in this essay to discuss the problems of attributing this play, it must be recognised that this ambiguity of authorship and dating makes it even more difficult than usual to look at views and purposes behind the play.
Equality has several understandable comparisons to Prometheus. According to Greek mythology, Prometheus brought fire to mankind, which brightened their path and showed man the way toward civilization. “He took the light of the gods and he brought it to all men, and he taught men to be gods.”(Rand, Anthem pg.99). Also, Equality created a light bulb meant to alter his society’s light and power. Equality’s gift of light was created to illuminate mankind’s path and launch a period of invention and discovery, if it was accepted by the Council. “At first, man was enslaved by the gods.”(Rand, Anthem pg.101). Another comparable thing between Equality and Prometheus was their amazing sacrifices made for their values. Before revolutionizing human technology with the gift of fire, Prometheus knew he would suffer, and still he refused to sacrifice his ideals in the face of authority, for his actions, Prometheus was punished by Zeus for all ...
Before he went on his endeavor to start a new society, Prometheus used to live in a society that worshipped collectivism and the mindset that being as your peers is crucial. Prometheus even quoted himself, "We strive to be like all of our brothers men, for all men must be alike." Although this was a value instilled in Prometheus since he began living in the Home of the Infants, he still felt the drive to be independent. Even though Prometheus had this drive of independence, he still refused to start his society and tried to allow his intelligence to be bound again. Prometheus offered his invention to the world council, who reacted poorly to his invention. One of the
In the end of "Anthem", Prometheus comes to the realization that his society's teachings and ideas were not helpful in advancement to the society. Ideas like individuality, that the society tried to squash out of its people, is beneficial to the society as a whole because men are meant to think for themselves. In the book Prometheus made the light bulb back when he was in the society, but once he showed it to the World Council, they but him in jail. After this incidence he realized that no matter what brilliant things he invents, it will never be something that particular society can use. At first he is confused, but realizing that he was acting like an individual made him see that maybe society is the evil one and he is the good one. All of this made him realize that maybe he is not meant for this, and he is thrown out into the uncharted territory. He learns that men are meant to think for themselves, and that if they do society will become more advanced and they will be able to move forward instead of staying at the same spot forever. This is how he realizes his "sins" were actually good and that men are supposed to think for themselves.
Prometheus stood against all the laws that the society had and was able to hold on to his mind rather than let it be brainwashed. He had done what he wanted, even if it was against the law, and by doing that it broke him free from the collectivism and allowed others to do so. When he was finally free of it all, he dreamed of a world where everyone could be free. “And the day will come when I shall break all the chains of the earth, and raze the cities of the enslaved, and my home will become the capital of a world where each man will be free to exist for his own sake”(Rand 104). He wants the world to be able to be an individual and for everyone to have ego. He wants to stop collectivism in the world and for people to live as their own
Prometheus is an egoist in this novella, Anthem. He re-invents the electric light and manages to do it on his own. He goes and finds a tunnel, where he started experimenting with a frog. This led to him to reinventing the electric light. Discovering the frog in the tunnel shows what his individuality is like, inventing something new. He does not ask for help while doing this. This shows the type of person he is. His brilliance does not just extend to science alone. He knows he is going against the rules of society. He is superior to everybody else, and also shows no weaknesses. However, there is one exception, he tends to
Prometheus was a figure in Greek mythology who created the conflict between mankind and the God’s. Prometheus one day decided to steal fire from the sun and give it to the people for their advantage. Mankind then had the ability to create tools and weapons. Prometheus was then punished by the God’s and was chained to a rock where he was visited by an eagle that ate from his liver. His liver would regenerate daily so that he never died. Prometheus also supposedly created and animated mankind from clay. He is often referred to as the “plasticator since he created man from clay.” These two myths were combined to suggest that Prometheus stole the fire and fashioned mankind from clay.
Prometheus always acknowledged the sins he committed, but never truly felt guilt for them. He states, "I owe nothing to my brothers, nor do I gather debts from them. I ask none to live for me, nor do I live for any others. I covet no man's soul, nor is my soul theirs to covet" (Rand 96), thus understanding selfishness of his own desires, and what a man deserves, such as happiness and valuables. He also states "I understood that centuries of chain and lashes will not kill the spirit of man nor the sense of truth within him" (Rand 98), realizing that mankind needed individuality in order to thrive, and also...
...of gentle and kindness shows that Odysseus is not a hero. His way of supporting ideas that favor him most portrays him as non-heroic and his true picture is also revealed by his selfishness and mercilessness.
Equality invented something that no ones ever seen before. He built something to make a difference in society and to brighten the world, light. Light is what he invented and it was a miracle when it worked. Another similarity between Equality and Prometheus was their sacrifices for their values. No matter what circumstances they both went through, they stuck with it and did not give up because they believed that they could make a difference in society. They did not want to give up because it was something that they believed they could do to make the world a better place for themselves and others. All though Prometheus was punished by Zeus for all time. Equality knew that if he was discovered he would be punished for what he invented but he didn’t care if he got punished or not. When Equality brought his invention to the C...
The hero is the man who fights for what he loves. A hero is someone who rises above circumstance to take back what is his or hers. A hero is a man who was favored by the gods. All of these qualities and more can be found in both Odysseus and Telemachus. Odysseus and Telemachus both showed many manifestations of a hero throughout the Odyssey. It was a journey of change and growth for both men. Out of this journey they returned with much wisdom and personal gain. Odysseus and Telemachus have truly walked the path of the hero’s journey.
A Benefactor is someone who benefits or helps a person in real life, some of the greek gods intercede with the humans. One of the greatest benefactors of mankind is the greek Titan Prometheus; Prometheus stole fire from the great gods and gave it to mankind. He is known to be called “the Titan who created man from clay” and “the wise Titan God.” Prometheus was told to have the ability to scrutinize the future.When the gods battled in “Titanomachy” Zeus extradited the Titans to Tartarus but spared Prometheus because he did not fight against the other Gods along with the other Titans. The myth of Prometheus, Zeus was trying to keep the knowledge of fire and the ability to have power away from mankind. As their creator, Prometheus became more affectionate towards humans and wanted them to have a better life so in order for that to happen, the Titan stole fire from the Gods. It was also known that he stole the knowledge of some skills from Athena and Hephaestus and brought them to man. Prometheus is known to be a trickster god. He was the benefactor and protector of humans. According ...
What is a hero? We would like to think that a hero is someone who has achieved some fantastic goal or status, or maybe someone who has accomplished a great task. Heroes find themselves in situations of great pressure and act with nobility and grace. Though the main character of Virgil's Aeneid, Aeneas, is such a person, it is not by his own doing. He encounters situations in which death is near, in which love, hate, peace, and war come together to cause both good and evil. In these positions he conducts himself with honor, by going along with what the gods want. Only then goes on to pave the way for the Roman Empire. His deeds, actions, and leadership would never have come to be if it were not for the gods. The gods took special interest in Aeneas, causing him misfortune in some cases, giving him assistance in others. On the whole, the gods constantly provide perfect opportunities for Aeneas to display his heroism. Without them, Aeneas would not be the hero he is. This gift does not come without a price, though; he must endure the things heroes endure to become what they are. Despite his accomplishments and the glory associated with his life, Aeneas only achieves the status of hero through divine intervention, and this god-given position causes him just as much grief as it does splendor.
For the sake of context this introduction paragraph will provide the reader with what has happened in the previous episodes of Prometheus Unbound. Prometheus is shackled and tortured for three thousand years, he is with Panthea and Ione, these two Oceanides keep him company. This punishment was received with the defiance of Jupiter, king of the gods. Prometheus created humankind and he also gave them fire. He wants to be reminded of the curse that he uttered to Jupiter, so his mother; Earth tells him he must summon the Phantasm of Jupiter. After hearing the curse he says, “I wish no living thing to suffer pain.” Mercury offers Prometheus a deal to release him if he discloses the prophecy of Jupiter’s downfall, Prometheus responds:
Zeus is a famous and important character in Greek mythology, it was because of him that many gods got to be where they are now. Zeus signified Justice and Fairness, he was King of Olympus and father of men.