Prometheus and Hermes are the two most notable tricksters in Greek Mythology. While both of them are divine beings, they possess the quality of a deceiver or a swindler. The two of them acquire some similarities regarding their characteristics, but there are some distinct differences also. Prometheus is a very wise titan whose name means 'forethought'. He participated in the Titanomachy on Zeus' side and fought against the fellow titans and Atlas who were on Cronus' side (Class Notes). After the war was over after ten years, Prometheus was given the job of creating mankind with his younger brother Epimetheus (Class Notes). In this process, Prometheus partly reveals his quality of a trickster. First, he designs mankind based on the attributes of the god and fashions them to walk upright. Then, he decides to present the fire to the mankind so that their lives would get more easier--partly because Epimetheus gave away the 'good gifts' which were provided by the gods (Class Notes). The giving of fire to mankind also demonstrates Prometheus' attribute of being a thief because he stole the fire from the gods. …show more content…
When he was preparing the sacrifice to the gods, he prepared two piles of the ox, which one consisted of bones and fat and one consisted of meat and intestines and other parts (Theogony, line 536-541). When Zeus discovered this, he purposely choose the pile of bones and fat and from anger, made the power of fire disappear, which Prometheus again stole for mankind (Theogony, line 561-566). For this crime, Prometheus chained on Mt. Caucasus and is devoured his liver by an eagle every day. Then, when Zeus asks him about the sea nymph, Thetis, that he must avoid mating with which is another of his deception of
In ancient Greek Myths, the description of Zeus’ character can range from a heroic leader to that of a vile dictator, depending on the author’s intention. This contrast is especially noteworthy when comparing Hesiod’s Theogony with Aeschylus’ Prometheus Bound, as Zeus is presented as the world’s protector in the former, while he is portrayed as selfish and ruthless in Aeschylus’ tale.
The story of Adam and Eve in Genesis, and Prometheus in Theogony have many similarities. In particular, the role of the serpent and role of Prometheus complement each other. The serpent and Prometheus are both portrayed as sly-talking tricksters that reveal immortal knowledge to the humans of earth, and they are both punished for their actions.
Hesiod’s Theogony has transcended generations, delivering to vast audiences the traditional stories of the Greek gods as well as ancient Greek conceptions of the world. One particularly well known aspect of the Theogony, the section that tells the tale of Prometheus, is unique in that it has little intrinsic worth; its value is in its ability to enhance other stories and conceptions. Across the globe, people know well the story of the one who deceived Zeus and stole fire for man, but few recognize its role in Hesiod’s work as a whole. The story of Prometheus serves two primary purposes for Hesiod and his audience. First, it solidifies Zeus’s position as king of the gods, providing one of the first characterizations of his temperament, and
Prometheus was a Titan in Greek mythology and different from the other Titans like Equality was different from the people who surrounded him; Prometheus chose not to fight against the gods in the great war. For this. he was spared from Tartarus, the equivalent of hell, and he was given the task of creating man. He made man stand upright and gave them fire. When he tricked Zeus, Zeus was outraged and took fire away from man. Since Prometheus loved man, he returned the fire for the greater good although he knew he would be punished (Hunt, para 3). This is similar to Equality’s story because Equality had always been different than the people around him in that he was defiant. Another way that their stories are similar is that they both tried doing what would be better for the greater good although it could have gotten them in trouble. Prometheus stole fire from the gods while Equality made light, which went against everything he was ever taught and broke almost every rule by taking up a different role than the one given to him. Both of these characters’ actions were unselfish and for the betterment of the people. Because of the parallels in their stories and in their character, the name Prometheus is quite fitting for
https://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=201011 this source helps you understand the reasoning for Zeus to punish the two brothers. this article can also help you understand who came to rescue the two brothers .Prometheus and Epimetheus stole fire from the gods and shared it with the mortal human beings. Zeus took Prometheus to a mountain and chained him to a rock for punishment. everyday a eagle would come and eat his liver.
Prometheus, the Titan of Greek mythology, was considered to be the most important Titan ever in all the myths. He helped the human race tremendously in his efforts to sustain an easier lifestyle. Mankind had great respect for him because of his advantages and gifts or abilities he gave them. Also, his battle against Zeus as a result of his love for man was very much appreciated. Prometheus was one of the most interesting Greek mythology figures in his time. He was a very kind, loving, generous, and courteous god to mankind. This can be seen through many events in his life including a particular myth that the reader will acknowledge in this research paper.
Zeus was the son of Cronus and Rhea. When Cronus heard someone say that one of his sons would overthrow him just like he did to his father he got very angry and scared. This led to Cronus swallowing each of his children to make sure he stayed in power. Only one of the children got out by having Rhea feed Cronus a stone wrapped in cloth instead of Zeus. After Rhea saved Zeus he left and trained because he would one day come back and overthrow his father and force his to give back his siblings.
To begin, the background on the Titan, Prometheus, is that mankind had fire originally, but Prometheus tried to trick Zeus into eating fat and bones instead of the best meat at a meal in Olympus. Zeus became angry and took fire away from man so they would have to eat raw meat. Prime then raided the rock shop of Hephaestus and Athena and stole fire in a fennel stalk. He then gave it back to man to make their lives better. At this point Zeus became even more angry and decided to punish Prometheus. He punished him by taking him east and chained Prometheus to a rock. Zeus then sent an eagle out every night to eat out Prometheus liver.
In both the Ancient Greek and Native American cultures, there is always a Trickster gods present and have similar roles. In Native American mythology, Coyote couldn’t hunt as he was not able to see so he seeks the help of the Eagle to steal the light of the Sun, “Go ahead and carry the box for a while. But promise not to open it.” “I promise.” Coyote opened the lid... If it weren’t for Coyote’s curiosity and mischief making, we wouldn’t have winter” (Erdoes, 1027-1028). In comparison, Hermes is sly and clever; within the first
Basically we have two myths here, each about Prometheus. The stories basically both agree that Prometheus stole fire from Zeus and gave it to man against Zeus’ approval.
Moving forward to the “Prometheus myth,” the similarities between the stories are a bit more difficult to identify, but not impossible. There are also comparisons between characters of the myth and of Frankenstein. Again, the creature is the focus of these comparisons, as he can be said to similar to the Titan, Prometheus. Each character tries to offer their assistance to humanity, but only receives punishment in response to their actions. For Prometheus, Zeus, otherwise known as Jupiter in Roman mythology, seeks what he thinks is retribution for the Titan disobeying his direct order of not granting the humans with fire. Zeus creates the “perfect” woman, Pandora, and sends her to Prometheus and his brother, Epimetheus. Pandora disobeys one of the only requests given to her: do not open the box she was given. Instead of adhering to the instructions, the woman lets her curiosity get the better of her, causing all kinds of horrors to be released into the world, which then had “the bottom
The ambiguity of the myth of Prometheus lies in its interpretation. The Greek myth surrounds the creation of man and the part Prometheus played in it. Prometheus (meaning forethought) and his brother, Epimetheus (meaning afterthought), were given certain tasks by Zeus after they fought on Zeus' side in the war with the Titans. As a reward for their loyalty, Zeus gave Epimetheus the responsibility of creating the animals and distributing their qualities, for example, strength, speed, and stamina. Prometheus, on the other hand, was given the task of creating man. Prometheus molded man out of clay, giving them the ability to walk upright so that they could be closer to the heavens and the Gods. Since Epimetheus was extremely rash in his dispersion of the traits and qualities to the animals, when it came time for Prometheus to give some to man, there were none left. So, Prometheus gave man fire, and taught him how to grow food, and how to make objects, such as tools.
Prometheus Bound is an Ancient Greek tragic play that is one of three plays concerning the large-than-human figure, Prometheus. Zeus, the king of the Gods on Mont Olympus in ancient Greek religion, Prometheus, a Titan, he stole the fire from Mont Olympus and brought the secrets using fire to mortals, then punished by Zeus to a life bound in chains. This is where the title—Prometheus Bound—is given to the play. Prometheus myth is originated from ancient Greek poet Hesiod’s Theology. In Theology, Prometheus is an evildoer, a liar. However, In Aeschylus' works, he fights for human survival and against Zeus. Prometheus’s name means "anticipate," in the play, he had known that Zeus would punish him, but he declined to comment on the tales, instead, still doing the things under his willing. “It is painful to me to tell the tale, painful to keep it silent.” ---- Scene I “Prometheus Bound”. Prometheus violates the fate and against with it. This action is a tragedy but incredible. The image of Prometheus refers to the people's rebellion and noble. This revolution is intimately related to the progress of social civilization. It is rooted in the individual in the struggle with the fate, society, and itself. From time to time, people reading “Prometheus Bound”, Prometheus tagged as “iron-hearted” and “made of stone” but Zeus is “furious” and “arrogant”. However, the good
In Mary Shelley’s “Frankenstein,” she provides the readers a subtitle “The Modern Prometheus,” in order to show the allusion she has drawn between Victor Frankenstein and the Titan god Prometheus throughout the novel. Prometheus was one of the few Titan gods that sided with Zeus during the war to take control and wasn’t banished to Tartarus. He became the god of forethought and crafty counsel who was given the task to create and protect mankind. Because of a trick played upon Zeus at Mecone, Zeus became infuriated and took fire from the humans as punishment. As the protector of mankind, Prometheus stole the fire from Zeus and gave it back to the humans, subsequently he caused the creation of Pandora, the first woman, and all the evils to be
Who was responsible for creating fire to mankind, who was on top of a mountain and had his liver ravaged by an eagle every night? Prometheus. This God was part of a powerful group of Gods called the Titans. Some people who knew what his personality was like might have described him as a trickster, and a troublemaker. However, Aeschylus described Prometheus as a tragic hero. There have been a variety of plays that has been written about his life. Prometheus is a very complex character in Greek Mythology, whose highest accomplishment was creating humans, but how he creates them raises the question; does the end justify the means?