Prometheus was Taught Against Himself in Anthem by Ayn Rand

Another similarity between the two figures is their intention or goal. Both characters had supposedly good intentions that were tainted through the fulfilment of their cause. Frankenstein believed that, "a new species will bless me as its creator and source; many happy and excellent natures would owe their being to me"(32). Prometheus insists that his actions had a similar impact- "I risked the bord attempt, and saved mankind / From stark destruction and the road to hell... And in a single word to sum the whole- / All manner of arts men from Prometheus learned." (Aeschylus). In both cases, these ideas, deluded or realistic, were not the actual or only outcome of their "gifts". In Percy Bysshe Shelley's interpretation of the Prometheus myth, Prometheus is faced with the consequences of his gift of fire (and of creating the human race).

Mary Shelley wrote Frankenstein as a modern day version of the legend of Prometheus. Prometheus created men out of clay and taught them the "arts of civilisation" (Webster's World Encyclopedia CD-ROM 1999). Zeus, the chief god of the Titans, wanted to destroy Prometheus' creation but Prometheus stole fire from heaven to help mankind. Zeus punished Prometheus by chaining him to a rock where an eagle would feed on his liver during the day and each night the liver would grow back. Prometheus was able to bargain for his release because he knew a secret which concerned Zeus' future. Heracles shot the eagle and so Prometheus gained release. Victor Frankenstein is Shelley's modern Prometheus in that

Throughout both stories, the roles that the serpent and Prometheus play parallel each other. They both are presented as crooked characters from the outset. Both reveal knowledge to humans that the corresponding authority figures did not want the humans to have. The serpent and Prometheus’s

First, in the story of Phaethon, Phaethon is characterized as a thoughtless and headstrong boy. These characteristics lead to catastrophic results, and help relate back to the main theme; A prideful disregard of the warnings from those who are older and wiser can quickly lead to disastrous consequences. For example, while driving the sun chariot and contemplating flying closer to Earth so everyone will see him, Phaethon exclaims, “Apollo said not to come too close to the Earth, but how will he know? And I won't stay long, just dip down towards the villages.” (53). This implies the Phaethon does not think about his actions, nor their consequences, and only does what benefits him and his reputation. Another adjective that could be used to describe Phaethon is stubborn, which is also demonstrated in this quote. It illustrates the idea that Phaethon was being overconfident and arrogant about

Prometheus tried to convince the Council of Scholars that his invention merited their support due to the ability of his invention being able to change the world and that he believed that the Council of Scholars would not of think of this invention in the future (74). Firstly, he believed that his invention could have changed the world by changing how they used light. By having this invention, they wouldn’t need old fashioned candles and torches because now they would have electricity (73). By having electricity, they could have become more advanced in their society but it was too bad that the Council of Scholars did not approve of this invention. Since this society was a collectivism based society, the Council of Scholars almost found this

For example instead of alway’s referring to him as, “We” he would say, “I.” He would be willing to share all of these ideas withe the golden one. The only person he trusts is the golden one, international 4-8818 and his other friends. He said later he would go and bring them here. then he will make his own race. The theme of the book is that losing sight of the individual and his or her needs will lead to the destruction of all progress and all forward movement. This is related to the book because Prometheus wanted to work in the home of the scholars but the government did not let him. That is denying his needs. This lead to the destruction of all progress and all forward movement. Like the people revolting against the government.

Ayn Rand's Anthem shows us her view of our world united under what seems to be communist rule. For example their view of right and wrong; which Anthem portrays is a system of very strict rules which mainly make sure that everyone is involved in a collective role within the society in this system no one is considered an individual or that they can even think as an individual.

brought them for a civilization where the word ?I? did not exist to a world

In Ayn Rand’s book Anthem, The character Equality 7-2521 also known as Prometheus ran into the uncharted forest after being told that his box of light was a sin to create because he now knew more than his brother’s in the uncharted forest he found out that the golden one had followed him. Then the two uncovered homes from the unmentionable times. In the uncharted forest he discovered the unspeakable word “Ego”. Throughout the book he expressed traits of an Egoist. But in the book because prometheus had been in a dystopian society where they had to think of themselves and their brothers as a whole they were not allowed to think of themselves. So was Prometheus really a egoist? Or was it just his little bit of selfish coming out after not ever being allowed to think about himself?

     “I think. I am. I will.” A quote by Ayn Rand that is similar to Rene Descartes quote, “I think therefore I am.” This quote tells society that Prometheus can do anything by himself. He does not need the “we” of society to complete a task. Prometheus can think independently and wants to express himself as one individual. “I will,” illustrates that he will and can do anything. Prometheus believes, just as Rene Descartes does, that if he can think by himself, he is able to live by himself. As he is alone he is thinking by himself, therefore he is alive and able to express himself as he truly is.

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

The society would be unsuccessful considering at any sign of similarity to his current society, he would attempt to change it. Individualism is the main priority of his society. Prometheus would attempt to be such an individual that he would overlook his brothers’ well being. Prometheus would also aim to assure it is known that he broke the society’s chain of collectivism by making himself and his loved ones superior to others. “We shall never leave this house," we said, "nor let it be taken from us. [...] This is your house, Golden One, and ours, and it belongs to no other men whatever as far as the earth may stretch. We shall not share it with others, as we share not our joy with them, nor our love, nor our hunger. So be it to the end of our days.” (Page 101) According to that quote, He would not care for anyone else's well being except for himself and

“I am done with the monster of “We,” the word of serfdom, of plunder, of misery, falsehood, and shame.” (Page 97). In relation to the novel Prometheus is reaching an enlightenment of his own beliefs. He realizes very early in the novella that he is very different from his brothers surrounding him. Prometheus states that he is no longer using the word “We” because it is a word of Collectivism rather than a word of Objectivism. The quote closely relates to the overall theme of Individualism by him saying that he no longer wishes to use the word we. Prometheus closely supports and strengthens the Individuality he has within

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.

In Plato's Dialogues, there is the singly ignorant person, the individual who is ignorant of some information or truth but who knows that he is ignorant, and the doubly ignorant person, the individual who is ignorant of his own ignorance. Socrates, in the Apology, maintains that he is singly ignorant when he states that the only thing he is that he knows nothing. The singly ignorant person is in a far better position to learn than the doubly ignorant person, because the singly ignorant person admits of his ignorance and can, if he desires, take the necessary steps to remove that ignorance. This is what Socrates does in his dialoguing, a.k.a. "teaching." He is attempting to remove his own ignorance, and in some cases (such as in Euthyphro) move the doubly ignorant person to a state of single ignorance. This paper will show in context the meaning of Socrates' "ignorance" in the Apology and how it relates to his search for the truth about piety in Euthyphro.