With Excessive Pride Comes Curse: Prometheus Bound By Aeschylus

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Recommended: The Greek’s view of tragedy

Adeline Abrahimy Mrs. Livermont Mythology 19 November 2014 Period 5 With Excessive Pride Comes Curse “Heroism is not only in the man, but in the occasion,” Calvin Coolidge once said. A powerful or heroic character in a play dealing with tragic events who is destined for downfall is said to be classified under the definition of a tragic hero. Expressed in the play, Prometheus Bound by Aeschylus, Prometheus is shown to be rebellious with a nature to do good for man. Before Prometheus, Zeus, also known as the king of the Gods , has arranged to demolish all of humanity. Nonetheless, Prometheus’s fondness for mankind is so remarkably impassioned that he decides to come to the resolution of disobeying Zeus. Zeus distinctly expresses his anger …show more content…

Before Prometheus, “[Man] had no signs reliable to mark Winter and scented spring and harvest time, Mindless was all they did until [Prometheus] show[s] the dubious rise and setting of the stars” (Aeschylus 35). Simply without Prometheus, mankind is ineffective and, in other words, a waste of space. With no signs of intelligence, they have no understanding or judgement. Having mankind exist during this time of idiocy is pointless. Being that they are silly creatures Prometheus decides to provide them with the knowledge to tell time as well as the seasons. In order to help man become more efficient farmers, “[Prometheus] [is] the first to yoke the animals in service to strap and lay on them Inheritance of mans excessive toil” (Aeschylus 35). As mentioned and shown many times in the play, he has an extreme amount of love for mankind. The first step in making man wise is to try and teach them the basics of farming, allowing them to successfully go farther. Mankind could heal and take care of themselves, “Till [Prometheus] brought the soothing unguent and the restoring draught to man the battlements against disease” (Aeschylus 36). Prometheus took on a job to help such weak and pitiful creatures. His heart is set on aiding man, and instead of giving up, he does whatever it takes to improve the existence of mankind. In addition, he teaches man about medicine and …show more content…

Io blatantly has a conversation with Prometheus and asks him questions regarding how he is in the same desperate position as she is. After Prometheus explains briefly, Io is interested to know the immense amount of danger that awaits her. Needless to say, Prometheus remains silent, but Io still goes on, curious enough to discover the remedy that can help regain her old self back. Finally, though, he offers Io some consolation, telling her that after her tremendously extensive journey, “Zeus shall make [her] sane again with the lightest touch of [his] untrembling hand” (Aeschylus 48). After Prometheus is done explaining the harrowing journey that Io experiences, he decides to give her hope and closure of what is yet to happen. In the middle of explaining, he states fleetingly that Zeus will cure her with a touch, making her

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