Prometheus+Bound

= Prometheus Bound = = = = =

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=I** ntroduction **= // Prometheus Bound, // an ancient Greek tragedy, written by Aeschylus, around 415 BC. //Prometheus Bound// is considered to be one of the best Greek tragedies ever written by Aeschylus. Not only does this play incorporate the themes of mythology, it has a history of political readings revolving around Prometheus as a radical revolutionary, and a national hero. (Prins,Y)


 * 1. ** ** Characters **
 * Prometheus- the protagonist
 * Hephaesteus- God of the forge
 * Might- strong arm of Zeus
 * Violence- the companion of Might
 * Chorus- The daughters of Oceanos
 * Oceanus- God of the sea
 * Io- Consort of Zeus
 * Hermes- Messenger


 * 2. Synopsis **

// The play begins with Prometheus, a Titan, being brought upon the mountaintop by Might, Violence, and Hephaesteus, where he is to spend the rest of eternity as form of punishment for going against Zeus. Hephaesteus displays sympathy for Prometheus while Might and Violence reassure him that this needs to be done to teach Prometheus that he can not go against the Gods. // // The Chorus speaks after hearing Prometheus’s cries and attempts to comfort him. Prometheus takes this opportunity to confide in them, telling them that Zeus wanted to wipe out the entire human race and he was the only one who objected this plan. Prometheus tells the chorus that his compassion for mankind was not the only reason for his eternal punishment, but the fact that he saved them from destruction, gave them hope, and provided them with the gift of fire. (Prometheus Bound) // //Later, Oceanus arrives to visit Prometheus and asks him what he wants him to do in order to help him. Prometheus thinks Oceanus’s came to watch him suffer and he goes on a rant about Zeus and Oceanus’s. Oceanus then reassure Prometheus that he is only there to help and tells him to be carful what he says because the God’s are always listening. He than tells Prometheus of his plan to go to Zeus and beg him to have mercy on Prometheus. After hearing this, Prometheus tells him not to, for fear that Zeus will then punish Oceanus for over stepping his boundaries and that he feels that Zeus will set him free soon because he has the gift of prophecy and will be of great use to Zeus.( Prometheus Bound)//

// Io enters wearing horns that Zeus has cursed her with, and takes Prometheus by surprise. Once Io realizes that Prometheus is near she asks him why he is bound to the mountain to suffer in such agony, he tells her what Zeus has done to him. Io then asks for his help, she wants to be told when her suffering and aimless wondering will end. Then Prometheus tells her that she will suffer for a long time, however, she will eventually have a son and that it will be one of her descendants who will free him from his own suffering. (Prometheus Bound) //

// At the end of the play, Prometheus shouts out that one day Zeus will be overthrown by someone who is bigger and better then him. Hermes then comes to the mountaintop on orders from Zeus to make sure that Prometheus tells him who it is that will destroy Zeus. After Prometheus refused to talk Hermes tells him that he will be sent to the deep black pits of Tartarus. The chorus jumps in and tells Prometheus that he should listen to Hermes and tell him what he wants to know. After refusing again Prometheus describes the terrible storm happening around him and calls out for someone to witness his suffering. (Prometheus Bound) //


 * 3. ** ** Criticisms and Analysis **
 * There is believed to be evidence that Prometheus Bound was the first play in a trilogy written by Aeschylus, however, there are only bits and pieces left of these suggested plays.
 * The play has the tendency to get a little confusing for the audience when a new character comes barging in on stage.
 * This story resonates as political commentary.
 * The ending leaves the audience unfulfilled and has them searching for more. (Storey, I)

//** 4. ** ** Performance Style **//

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 * 5. Other Famous Works by Aeschylus **

Written 458 B.C.E
 * // Agamemnon //**

//** The Choephori **// Written 450 B.C.E

Written 458 B.C.E
 * // Eumenides //**

//** The Persians **// Written 472 B.C.E

**//The Seven Against Thebes//** Written 467 B.C.E

//**The Suppliants**// Written ca. 463 B.C.E

//Reference//

// Prins, Y. (2010). The Sexual Politics of Translating Prometheus Bound. Cultural Critique, 74(1), 164-180. doi: 10.1353/cul.0.0069 //

// Storey, I. (n.d.). Aeschylus: Prometheus Bound. Companions to Greek and Roman Tragedy. //

Prometheus Bound - Aeschylus - Ancient Greece - Classical Literature //. N.p., n.d. Web. 24 Nov. 2014. //

// "Prometheus Bound." //Theatre History//. N.p., n.d. Web. 24 Nov. 2014.//

// Prometheus Bound." //- Thomas Cole Wiki Art//. N.p., n.d. Web. 24 Nov. 2014. http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Thomas_Cole_-_Prometheus_Bound_-_Google_Art_Project.jpg

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