Introduction
Among all ancient Gods and Titans, the image of Prometheus stands out as a person who, belonging to the celestials, took an active part in shaping humanity as it is nowadays. Indeed, according to legends, Prometheus not only carved the figures of people but also became their advocate in front of Gods. Ancient sources suggest that Prometheus was a martyr ready to sacrifice his well-being for humanity’s sake.
Prometheus Prefers People Over Gods
Prometheus is an image that primarily inspired ancient authors. Belonging to the Titans, Prometheus sided with Zeus in a war of Gods against the Titans, which allowed him to gain an advantageous position in Olympus. Zeus himself appreciated Prometheus for his ability to foresee the future. However, Prometheus was ready to discard this favor for humanity’s sake. Being the creator of people, Prometheus liked humanity and tried to teach people to master skills necessary for their life. Zeus did not like the actions of the titan: he foresaw that the independence of man could weaken his power. But Prometheus went against the main god of Olympus, doing what he considered his duty to the people he created.
The fact that testifies to the idea that Prometheus preferred people over Gods is the way the titan tricked the Gods over parts of the animals that had to be given to them in a sacrifice. When it was decided which parts of the sacrificial bull would go to the gods and which to people, Prometheus covered the bones with mouthwatering grease while the meat was put into the ox’ inside (Prometheus: The Fire Bringer). As a result of this trick, the best pieces went to people, and the deceived Zeus got even angrier. Fearful of people’s independence, Zeus advised Prometheus to forget about people and lead his life. However, Prometheus had a pure and noble soul, open to pity and compassion. Gradually, in his noble soul, a burning desire to help people, even against the will of Zeus, became more and more pronounced.
The Way Prometheus Changed People’s Lives
Looking at how thin and weather-beaten people concealed themselves in the caves in a poor attempt to warm themselves, Prometheus decided to steal fire and give it to people against the express wish of Zeus. Though Prometheus knew that the wrath of the almighty god threatened him, he also knew now what happiness it was to help the weak and see their enlightened, smiling faces.
Prometheus taught people to see, hear and understand everything around them. He showed people the east and the west, taught them numbers, writing, and reading, and gave them the power of memory, which people did not have before (Simard, pp.141-143). He built a fast ship for people and winged it with a white linen sail so that the vessel could easily and freely glide across the expanses of the sea. He taught people to find, mine, and use earthly treasures – copper and iron, silver and gold (Simard, pp. 145-146). Overall, he instilled in people will, courage, hope, and selflessness – the qualities Zeus most expressly did not want to find in them.
Prometheus’ Suffering as a Reflection of his Noble Character
As a punishment for Prometheus’ disobedience, Zeus “chained him to a rock in the Caucasus and sent an eagle to prey on him” (Prometheus: The Fire Bringer, para. 8). The unbearable torments the titan underwent are reflected in the picture by Matt Hughes, entitled “Prometheus and the child of tomorrow.” In the picture, one can see how the titan is writhing in a vain attempt to get away from the eagle and there is a look of horror on his face (Matt Hughes).
The same idea of unbearable suffering is expressed in the poem “Disconnected” by Brent Michaels. The author describes torment as “a moment that refuses to follow or precede but stretches in both directions out of reach,” which clearly shows the agony Prometheus experienced to which there was no beginning and no end (Michaels, para. 2). The titan even wishes for the death to come, the idea expressed by such words as “eat my liver and be done with it” (Michaels, para. 4). However, despite all the suffering not even once he regrets the good he has done for people and, in general, mankind.
Neither is he willing to admit himself guilty of a crime since all he was doing was helping people. This defiance testifies to the noble character of Prometheus when he is ready to experience all world tortures rather than betray his ideas. Therefore, it is highly natural that at the end, Heracles, who is half-human, delivers Prometheus from his misery, thus fulfilling the duty mankind owes to the titan.
Conclusion
The image of Prometheus, created by the ancient authors, encompasses such qualities as compassion, loyalty, and readiness to suffer for what a person believes in. Being largely attributed to people, these qualities link the life and fate of Prometheus to the history of mankind and the first people he created. Perhaps the greatest merit of Prometheus lies not in what he taught people to do but in instilling humanity with ideals and qualities that are noble and worthy of being taken as an example by future generations.
Works Cited
Matt Hughes. Prometheus and the Child of Tomorrow [Canvas].
“Prometheus: The Fire Bringer”. GreekMythology. Web.
Michaels, Brent. “Disconnected”.
Simard, Jared. “The Titans of Rockefeller Center: Prometheus and Atlas.” Classical New York: Discovering Greece and Rome in Gotham, 2018. Pp. 140-160. Web.