In Prometheus Bound, Prometheus was to be chained to a tower at a place that abandoned, no sign of civilization. In the book, it says, “Throw the chains on him… Clamp his wrists, real hard… Slap those iron bands around his ribs.”(Prometheus Bound 32-33) This is his punishment for giving fire to humans and for loving them too which is proven in the book when it says, “Myself, I knew all this and knew it all along. Still, I meant to be wrong. I knew what I was doing. Helping mankind…”(Prometheus Bound 42) Zeus believed that what Prometheus did, disrespected the Gods, giving humans the opportunity to gain hope. This hope is what Zeus doesn’t want humans to have because hope is what makes humans stronger and strive for more out of their short life spans. …show more content…
Without the humans giving gifts to the Gods, the Gods will no longer be important anymore because of the human's thoughts of finally gaining the power of being Gods. Prometheus’s imprisonment was meant to install him with embarrassment and vulnerability. In Prometheus Bound, it says, “Nobody’s here, no human voice will come through to you. When the bloom on your cheek is burnt black by the sun you’ll be glad when night with her veils of starcloud covers up the glare.”(Prometheus Bound 30) This place was meant to isolate Prometheus, separating him from man and leaving him out in the open for Gods to laugh at him. As some Gods and Goddesses visited him, he tried to turn them away because he thought that they were there to laugh at him. What really happened was that they heard his story and scolded him for doing what he did. Prometheus thought that his punishment was too harsh but even through that he didn’t believe that his imprisonment was going to last forever, actually he knew it wasn’t going to last
Prometheus’ lack of guilt towards his transgressions and sins are due to his discovery of individualism and free will. “I am. I think. I will.” (Rand 94) are words that Prometheus cites after he discovers the word “I” in Chapter 11. This declaration represents his understanding of his own individuality and his understanding that he was created to think. The beginning section of this quote illustrates his struggle with accepting himself as an individual while the second section of the quote shows his ability to reason for himself. The third section of the quote, “I will” shows his ability to act on his thoughts/reasons. The society considers this belief to be a sin; for the society promotes the idea of collectivism, and it is forbidden to speak the unmentionable word known as “I”. Throughout his life, Equality 7-2521 referred to himself and others as “we” due to the society’s intolerance of individualism and the support of collectivism.
Allusions to the Greek Myth of Prometheus allow insightful readers to withhold a better understanding of the story of Prometheus. First, from the poem “Prometheus” by Marin Sorescu we were given a piece that has far more meaning to the text then is depicted. “Whoever said I was chained” (Sorescu 1). Said the mighty Prometheus, which I believe portrays how free Prometheus feels due to the eagle’s presence and how itself has the freedom to soar in the sky and be free with itself. Next, from D'aulaires’ Book Of Greek Myths we read through a number of passages that gave us more understanding as to how Prometheus cares for his creations, the humans. “Prometheus could not bear to see his people suffer and he decided to steal fire, though he knew
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.
... When he and Liberty 5-3000, discover the house in the woods, he later discovers that the Unspeakable Word, was the word “I.” His joy at discovering the word was cut short when he realized that the impudent behavior of his so-called brothers, led to the loss of a word, which showed individuality, and allowed someone to characterize themselves and decide who they could become. In summation, Prometheus’ society believes that the “best in him”, his internal curiosity, is a sin, as it makes him different from his brothers. In actuality, his curiosity allows him to see that his totalitarian society has regressed and in doing so, they have lost the ability to give their citizens an independent identity, which could be used to benefit the society.
The relationship between gods and mortals in mythology has long been a complicated topic. The gods can be generous and supportive, and also devastating and destructive to any group of humans. Mortals must respect the powers above them that cannot be controlled. The gods rule over destiny, nature, and justice, and need to be recognized and worshipped for the powerful beings as they are. Regardless of one's actions, intentions, and thoughts, the gods in Greek myth have ultimate power and the final decision of justice over nature, mortals, and even each other.
In the retelling of his trial by his associate, Plato, entitled “The Apology”; Socrates claims in his defense that he only wishes to do good for the polis. I believe that Socrates was innocent of the accusations that were made against him, but he possessed contempt for the court and displayed that in his conceitedness and these actions led to his death.
Telemachus is valid in complaining of how Zeus dooms mortals. Zeus, unequivocally, causes many mortals pain and suffering. Zeus, though, aptly points out that mortals magnify their own pain and suffering. Zeus’ ability to acknowledge that gods are the root of mortals’ pain strengthens his credibility. Mortals’ abilities to successfully navigate their circumstances will lead to an easier life. If mortals are able to avoid the ill will of the gods, by securing the favor of the gods and making intelligent decisions, they will not “compound their pain beyond their proper share” (1.52). The final position of The Odyssey supports Zeus’ belief in regard to mortals’ misery, since he acknowledges his own role in their suffering, which is clearly evident, while also recognizing how mortals increase their own pain.
The first thing that comes up in The Odyssey that pertains to fate is when Zeus exclaims “My word, how mortals take the gods to task! All their afflictions come from us, we hear. And what of their own failings? Greed and folly double the suffering in the lot of man.” Zeus is saying that we all as humans cause our own misery and blame the gods for it. His attitude towards the struggles of humans is that since we cause our own problems, we should fix them by ourselves too. He is admitting that the gods do not have full control over events in human life. They have a
This argument is shown through how Zeus keeps mortals and gods in order. When Eumaios is offering animals to the gods, he exclaims, “Zeus grants us this or that, or else refrains from granting, as he wills; all things are in his power” (261). To balance society, Zeus punishes those who must be punished and helps those who are deserving of good fortune. Eumaios views this as a reasonable contract between each party. Although this is a valid argument, Odysseus himself refutes this statement when Odysseus tells Amphínomos of the extreme superiority the gods exhibit towards mortals, describing human’s minds as being “blown over by the father of gods and men” (340). This soliloquy embodies the problem of how the gods wrongfully use humans, disrupting the balance many characters claim exists. In a sense, the gods do not view them as people with thoughts and feelings but as “pawns” in their game of fate. Although a balance between mortal and god is existent on some occasions, the gods still consistently misuse their power towards mortals for their own
Kayla Snead Susan Sibbach AP English IV 21 May, 2018 The Modern Prometheus Knows No Bounds Within the novel of Frankenstein, Mary Shelley uses the creature, created by Victor Frankenstein, to illustrate of how humans cope with the judgment of others including Frankenstein. The internal conflict within Frankenstein and his creature becomes evident when he says, “How can I describe my emotions at this catastrophe, or how delineate the wretch whom with such infinite pains and care I had endeavoured to form?...but these luxuriances only formed a more horrid contrast with his watery eyes, that seemed almost of the same colour as the dun-white sockets in which they were set, his shrivelled complexion and straight black lips” (Shelly 36). The
The myths which prove the contradictory behavior of the gods, acting as both benefactors and tormentors of man, can readily be explained when viewed in light of the prime directive for man, to worship the gods and not “overstep,” and the ensuing “Deus ex Mahina” which served to coerce man to fulfill his destiny as evidenced by the myths: “Pandora,” “Arachne, and “Odysseus.” Humankind and it’s range of vision over the gods beauty and power portrayed them to be benefactors but unseemingly it depicted their affliction towards humans.
The first question which must be addressed is, "Why have these men been made to suffer?" To simply say that Zeus or God is displeased is not enough, and to say that Prometheus and Job have sinned is confusing. Most Western readers approach these works with a pre-conceived notion of sin which has been born out of the Judeo-Christian theological tradition a tradition which dictates that there are specific moral rules which must be followed, and to transgress them is to sin. While this interpretation of sin may be functional for a reading of Job, it is useless for understanding Prometheus Bound.
In addition to this myth, the heroes of Greek myths and legends are rewarded for their services to mankind. For example, after the death of Heracles, the gods reward him by making him immortal and allowing him to live with them on Mount Olympus. Good behavior is only sometimes rewarded because the gods who enforce the system of reward and punishment focus more of their attention on people whom they can punish. There are far more Greek and Roman myths describing cautionary tales to dissuade people from practicing behaviors the society deems immoral or hubristic. For example, in the myth of Prometheus, Prometheus is severely punished for stealing fire and technical wisdom from the
In a society in which social position was vital for having a successful family, the Greek and Roman families internally struggled with one another. This constant conflict stems from the father’s desire for control and the society’s high placement of power. In the Greek myth Demeter and Persephone, Zeus’s interest for his selfish gains prompts him to “ ( give ) Persephone to the Lord of Dead to become his queen “ ( Rosenberg Demeter 96). Zeus does not ask Persephone nor Demeter, his beloved wife, presenting that he does not show any opinions on their feelings. Although Zeus in reality just wanted to have a powerful family with the addition of Hades, his love for power overrode his love for his family and created a tension between the other members and him. In another Greek myth, Jason and the Golden Fleece, shows man’s love for supremacy through ...
“Ah me, alas, pain, pain ever, forever! / No change, no pause, no hope! – Yet I endure” (I, 23-24) – such are the words of Prometheus, when in desperation and overwhelmed by emotion, his thoughts dissolve in sheer agony and turn to himself, away from the Mighty God whose “ill tyranny” has nailed him to the “eagle-baffling mountain” (I, 19-20). In his essay, Prometheus: The Romantic Revolutionary, Northrop Frye observes that “pain is the condition which keeps Prometheus conscious” (96), because in reflection, he is confronted with himself, and his sense of self and being. But he is quick to call once again on the “cruel King” (I, 50), who has sentenced him to his fate, after begging the natural world to hear his cries and not punish him, no longer to injure his bones by “burning cold” (I, 33) the chains that bind him or let “Heaven’s winged hound” (I, 33) feed upon him. His words echo his earlier sentiment, found in Aeschylus’ work, where he mourns himself, as a “spectacle of pity” (14) who must suffer the “disease of tyranny (13) . In his quest and the earlier part of his imprisonment, Prometheus still longed to engage and relate to the Olympian, as “a counterpart of himself” (Frye 96), as one god contesting with another for power over and influence on the world. This struggle resulted in the imprisonment of Prometheus, because he craved to incite a revolution, where he desired not to transform the degenerate system of Jupiter but overturn it. Frye reminds us that “Jupiter’s real impetus is toward chaos rather than order” (96), as understood through the initial conversation between Prometheus and the Earth, where he identifies her as a “living spirit” (I, 139) but she is fearful of that description...