By: Niyati, Alan, Brittany, Nassir and John

Prometheus

Group #2

Summary- Prometheus was a clever titan; he created all living creatures from a mixture of earth and water. - He fashioned birds for the air, fish for the sea and animals for the land. Although, from the image

of the immortal gods he fashioned for man.- Prometheus’s brother Epimetheus observed his brother’s creative activity with amazement and

envy, he also wanted to take part in the creative process. - He begged Prometheus to let him do something for each living creature.- Prometheus loved his brother a lot so he decided to let him distribute the characteristics that

each creature needed to survive. - Epimetheus set out to do his job. He gave weak creatures speed, some he armed with tusks, sharp

claws, or stinging tails. He gave some creatures different sizes, the first to instill fright, the second to avoid detection.

- He continued and protected them from hazards of their environment. According to the climate he gave skin of leather or heavy fur.

- He gave creatures the ability to climb,dig or stalk their food. - He proceeded from creature to creature until he distributed all the qualities that each one needed

in order to survive on earth. - Epimetheus was proud of his accomplishment until he came across a poor man. The man was

naked and defenseless; he was the only one who didn't receive any gifts.

Summary- Epimetheus stood there wondering what to do until Prometheus came. Prometheus was

proud of the distribution until he looked at the old man and realized the problem. - Prometheus realized there was no more gifts to distribute but he loved man so he decided he

would do anything to help the man survive. - During the next moonless night he went to Mount Olympus, home of his cousin Zeus and

other immortal gods. He knew that Lord of Olympus would not help him so he went to Zeus's children Hephaestus and Athena. He knew that they would help him because they were also creators. They risked their father’s wrath to help out Prometheus and Epimetheus.

- They taught Prometheus their knowledge of arts and crafts so he could impart this knowledge on human kind. Hephaestus also gave Prometheus fire so the mortals could use their new knowledge.

- Prometheus taught the mortals to understand their environment to calculate, to read, to write, to build houses and sailing ships, and to tame wild animals for food, labor, and protection.

- He showed them copper, iron, silver and gold. He also taught them how to use the gift of fire.- Once the mortals had this knowledge they began worshipping the gods.

Summary - Prometheus became concerned that mortals would give the gods the best fruits of their

labors, leaving only a small amount for themselves. - Prometheus was very astute, he designed a scheme where mortals would be able to offer food

to the gods but they would also be eating well. - Prometheus carved a carcass of an ox. He divided the parts into two piles. In one pile he put

the rich organs and the nourishing meat, craftily hiding them away in the ox’s stomach. He covered the food with oxhide.

- In the second pile he wrapped layers of white fat over bare white bones but he also covered this with the oxhide.

- He then called Zeus to determine which pile would be for the eternal gods and which pile for the humans. Zeus lifted the hide that covered the fatty portion and was impressed with the humans. Zeus lifted the second portion and he was repulsed by the smell of the ox’s stomach.

- He then came to a conclusion and decided that the fatty portion will be for the immortal gods and the stomach portion for humankind.

- Zeus was anxious for the meat so he quickly unwrapped the fat and he found bones; his mind became clouded with rage and he claimed Prometheus to be a deceiver and had forbidden the use of fire for mankind.

Summary- Zeus gathered all the fire and took it back to Mount Olympus. Although Prometheus knew that man

couldn’t survive without fire so he stole it a second time. - From Mount Olympus Zeus noticed fire gleaming; instead of saying anything to Prometheus he decided

he would punish Prometheus and humankind. He told his son Hephaestus to blind Prometheus and take him to Mount Caucasus which was in Scythia. Hephaestus didn't want to do the deed but he had to follow his father’s commands.

- He took Prometheus to the high-ridged, winter-bitten, and rocky gorges. There he fastened Prometheus to the icy cliffs with unbreakable stone chains. He then drove a strong stake through Prometheus’s chest for additional security this way he could only move his head.

- Each day Prometheus was condemned to be parched by the blazing sun ; each night by the icy winds.- Hephaestus gave Prometheus comforting words and Prometheus replied back by saying Lord of

Olympus is destined to pursue a goddess. The goddess is destined to give birth to a son who will become greater than his father. If the father is Zeus then the son will hurl Zeus into the darkness just like Zeus did to his own father Cronus.

- Hephaestus reported this information to his father. The Lord of Olympus sent his son Hermes to Prometheus to make him reveal the secret knowledge that would destroy Zeus.

- Prometheus replied by saying “Nothing in your great father’s power will force this knowledge from me unless he unshackles these chains of bondage.”

Summary - Hermes responds by saying the Lord of High Thunder will send waves of torture towards you. First he

will strike thunderbolts which will split the rocks apart so that it will enfold and take you within it’s darkest depths. Olympus Zeus will then set his predatory eagle upon Prometheus.

- The eagle will tear open Prometheus’s body each day and eat his liver. - Hermes also said that the only way Prometheus can escape all this agony is by being replaced with an

immortal from his own free will. - Prometheus said that Zeus doesn’t scare him after that the sky became clouded and became black and

ominous with fierce wind that began to batter the lonely figure chained to the cliff. - Zeus ordered Hephaestus to create a beautiful woman from the same ingredients that Prometheus

created mortals. Zeus wanted her to be beautiful enough to be a blessing but evil enough to be a punishment for mankind.

- Zeus then let out the mortal girl among the immortal gods. Zeus ordered Aphrodite to give her the qualities of love and desire, Zeus ordered Hermis to give her a inquisitive and deceitful nature.

- Zeus named her Pandora because many of the gods gave her gifts. Zeus gave her a sealed jar. - Epimetheus had received the gift even though Prometheus warned him not to accept any gifts from

Olympus. Epimetheus thought that Pandora was sweet and innocent so he immediately married her.- Pandora grew curious to know what was inside the jar so she let it open and the contents began flying

everywhere. Zeus put evil and sorrow in the jar that would attack humans day by day, the only thing left in the jar was hope and it didn’t fly out before Pandora replaced the lid.

Main Ideas, Symbols & Lessons- Creativity is one of the main symbols of humanity. One who denies this is anti-human for example

Zeus. Prometheus, Athena and Hephaestus are all creators and this is why Prometheus seeks out for Hephaestus and Athena’s help.

- Most humans are inferior in most qualities other animals possess to survive. Although the human mind enables a man to be superior. Creativity is a key source for humans and only humans possess this characteristic.

- Prometheus means pro which equals to positive or good. Prometheus has a passion for humans and loves them a lot and he would do anything necessary to ensure their survival. This shows acting for the “greater good of humanity” and proves that Prometheus is devoted to the good.

- In past history JFK, Martin Luther King, Christ, Socrates, etc have sacrificed himself to do what is moral and righteous. Athena and Hephaestus also risk their safety to help out Prometheus and humanity.

- Prometheus’ gives humans the gift of fire. Fire represents the gift of knowledge, direction, warmth, comfort and development. Fire is the most essential element for an efficient existence throughout a society.

Main Ideas, Symbols & Lessons Cont.

- Prometheus has moral courage he takes on the greatest source of evil to protect humanity. The force of evil vs. humanity and creativity. Prometheus always acts for the good and therefore he steals the fire again. Prometheus doesn’t stop fighting for the good despite knowing the consequences he might have to encounter.

- Zeus forbids the use of fire for humans even though he knows it's essential for survival. This is similar to slave-masters. They forbade their slaves to be educated because they knew it would lead to empowerment. Zeus compares humans as slaves/ pets and mocks Prometheus through this action.

- Prometheus is punished for eternity by Zeus but he does not complain about it because he knows what he did was morally good. Hephaestus becomes a force of evil because he was terrified of his father’s wrath. If Hephaestus had said no Zeus would have been powerless.

- Zeus might be powerful but there are certain situations he can't control. Zeus demands to know his fate. The fates represents universal law and Zeus can’t control the Universe. Hermes threatens Prometheus to a horrible fate but he still doesn’t relent his morality and therefore he has won by being moral and an inspirational figure to others. Prometheus is truly human.

- Zeus is psychotic and his nature has been shown through Pandora. He wasn’t satisfied with punishing Prometheus he decides to permanently punish Humans by deceiving Epimetheus and releasing evil in the world. Epimetheus is moral but lacks wisdom to prevent himself from being deceived especially when Prometheus has warned him earlier.

Main Ideas,Symbols,and Lessons Cont.

- Epimetheus and Pandora are both tricked by Zeus but neither of them are aware that they are being manipulated for evil. Epimetheus is attracted to an extremely beautiful woman whom Zeus has created to deceive Epimetheus but Pandora herself does not know her own flaw which leads her to curiosity which causes her to open the jar and let evil out in the world.

- Pandora opens the jar and releases disease, evil, war, crime, etc. but hope remains suppressed at the bottom of the jar. Prometheus is humans protector, someone who fights for us and we should all strive to be like him so human nature will never be destroyed.

- In Conclusion, the myth teaches us that there are three qualities necessary to be truly human: Creativity, Wisdom, and Moral Courage. Prometheus embodies all three qualities while Epimetheus lacks Wisdom, Hephaestus lacks Moral Courage, and Zeus and Hermes lack all three qualities.

QUIZ!!!!1. A) Why is Zeus so mad about Prometheus giving fire to

mankind?B) What was Prometheus’s punishment for giving fire to

mankind? 2. A) What gifts do the gods and goddesses give to Pandora?

B) Are these gifts good things or bad things?3. Why does Prometheus favor humans? Why does he fight for their survival?