Module 1 Notebook Revision: Literary Analysis “Prometheus Bound” by Aeschylus

The audience for my Myth Composition is an older family member. The purpose of my
Myth Composition is to explain how this relates to today. Before they start reading, my audience
will most likely think mythology is ancient and does not relate to today. By the time they finish
reading, I hope my audience will think Greek Myth relates to today.
The biggest strength of my original post was a clear explanation of literary elements. I plan to
build on this by explaining how this helps to interpret myth. The biggest weakness of my original
post was not clearly relating it too today. I plan to improve this by adding a paragraph on how
this relates to today.

Prometheus Bound is about the punishment of Prometheus handed down by Zeus by

giving fire back to the world or mankind. The major theme through this piece of work is
standing for what you believe in and resisting tyranny. How a weaker individual such
Prometheus was able to stand up to the almighty Zeus, knowing his wrath and sheer power.

  The Plot of the story is a conversation between Prometheus and Chorus, about what
caused this punishment that Prometheus is suffering. How he stole fire back for mankind
against Zeus’ wishes and now suffering the consequences. The setting of this story takes place
with Prometheus chained up and being tortured. He has been cast into the underworld where
an eagle will eat his liver over and over with no end in sight. By understanding where the
setting is we can understand this is and will not be pleasant for Prometheus.

  The tone for the story is very somber and sympathetic. Chorus is very sympathetic
towards Prometheus’ position and what he did for mankind. “Chorus: Has he not allocated an
end to these pains?” (Line 40) With this line we can see how Chorus feels bad for Prometheus
and wants there to be an end to the punishment at some point for him.

Ancient Greeks told myths to explain how things came to be. They used stories such as
“Prometheus Bound” to explain how humans came into possession of fire. They noticed that
humans are the only species that uses fire and has the ability to manipulate it to cook, use as
heating, or as light source. A power this great has to have come from the Gods in their
thinking. Thus, coming up with stories to explain this phenomenon.

Analyzing the literary elements of the of the story helps you truly understand the story.
If you just read the myth, you may take it as face value and not look deeper, you may get lost
in the fairytale that is the myth of Prometheus. However, looking at the situation Prometheus
is in, where he is no match for Zeus and still stands up for principles and gives fire to
mankind, we can relate to today. This can be seen every day, from a journalist asking a
political figure hard hitting questions, to a smaller kid standing up to the lunch room bully.
This is story we teach every new generation, whether it is in a form of myth like Prometheus,
or David and Goliath from the bible these are principles we strive towards.