Chapter 24

Prometheus:
The Greek Trickster
 Prometheus
• This Greek figure is perhaps the best-known
example of a trickster as a builder of culture.
• He stole fire from the gods and gave it to human
beings. Fire is necessary for the working of
metal and thus underlies all technology. It also
represents the basis of ancient as well as
modern industry.
• He is a god, but he takes the side of humans.
 The Trickster
• A “liminal” creature; that is, he is on the threshold (Latin
limen, liminis) between two worlds.
• He is a part of society, but functions at its outer limits.
• He lives between nature and culture and, because of his
dual identity, is able to unmask or disorder the world of
those with a more solid stake in the established norms of
society.
• He makes a contract with a dupe, and then breaks it. In
the case of Prometheus, this is problematic because his
dupe is the head of the gods.
Main Sources for Prometheus
• Hesiod, a Greek poet, lived in about 700 B.C.E. and
composed two poems, the Theogony and the Works and
Days. The “Creation” section of Works and Days
contains the story of Prometheus’ theft of fire. The
excerpt in this chapter comes from Hesiod’s Theogony, a
poem describing the nature and generations of the gods,
and it is in this context that the poet tells the story of
Prometheus.
• Aeschylus was a Greek playwright who wrote
Prometheus Bound in about 456 B.C.E. The play is a
tragedy that details the sufferings of Prometheus for his
rebellion against Zeus and foreshadows his eventual
release at the hands of Heracles, Zeus’ son.
 The Order of Prometheus’
Adventures
1. Mekone: Prometheus cheats Zeus of the better sacrifice. Described in
detail by Hesiod in the Theogony (Ch. 24).
2. Zeus withholds fire from humans. Mentioned by Hesiod in both the
Theogony and the Works and Days (Ch. 3).
3. Prometheus steals fire for humans. Mentioned by Hesiod in both the
Theogony and the Works and Days (Ch. 3).
4. Zeus punishes him by inflicting Pandora, the first woman, on humans.
Described in detail by Hesiod in the Works and Days (Ch. 3).
5. Zeus chains Prometheus to a rock. Mentioned by Hesiod in both the
Theogony and the Works and Days (Ch. 24).
6. Zeus allows his son Heracles to free Prometheus, to increase his son’s
fame. This is mentioned in the first part of the story that Hesiod
describes, in the Theogony (Ch. 24).
 Mekone – The Test
... gods and mortal men divided up (p. 355, line 20)
An ox; Prometheus audaciously
Set out the portions, trying to deceive
The mind of Zeus. Before the rest, he put
Pieces of meat and marbled inner parts
And fat upon the hide, and hid them in
The stomach of the ox; but before Zeus
The white bones of the ox, arranged with skill,
Hidden in shining fat.
Hesiod, Theogony
 Mekone – Zeus’ Role as a Dupe
Is Rationalized
Zeus is presented as all-knowing: (p. 356, line 35)
[Prometheus] said, “Most glorious Zeus, greatest of all
The gods who live forever, choose your share,
Whichever one your heart leads you to pick”
He spoke deceitfully, but Zeus who knows
Undying plans, was not deceived, but saw
The trick, and in his heart made plans
To punish mortal men in future days.
He took the fatted portion in his hands…
Hesiod, Theogony
 Mekone – The Results for
Prometheus
Once again, Zeus is presented as all-knowing
Lovely Alcmene’s son, strong Heracles, (p. 355, line 8)
Killing the eagle, freed Prometheus
From his affliction and his misery,
And Zeus, Olympian, who rules on high,
Approved, so that the fame of Heracles
The Theban might be greater than before
Upon the fruitful earth; he showed respect,
And gave the honour to his famous son.
Hesiod, Theogony
 Aeschylus’ Prometheus: The
Trickster as Fully Developed
Culture Hero
• Aeschylus’ purpose in describing Prometheus is different
from that of Hesiod. He is showing the nobility of
Prometheus, his main character, at the expense of Zeus.
Thus, he paints a picture of Zeus as a young god, a
tyrant who had no special right to hold sovereignty over
the other gods.
• Prometheus was seen not just as a trickster stealing
food because he was subject to his appetites. Rather, he
was considered a full-fledged savior of humankind, the
source of every advance, from agriculture to literature. In
celebrating his gifts, human beings were expressing
pride in the technology they had developed and the
civilization they had built by using it.
 Background: The Chorus
• Fifteen characters, with a leader.
• Performed two very different roles:
– Sang odes.
– Functioned as a character through the leader.
• Had a special relationship with the main
character.
• Provided scenery and background information
through its odes.
• Reacted to the events of the play, rarely acting.
 Dramatic Situation
• The excerpt on the next slide occurs near the
opening of the play.
• Prometheus has been brought out and fastened
to a rock.
• The chorus, who are daughters of Ocean, see
him there and, filled with pity, ask the cause of
his punishment.
• In response, he describes the history of his
assistance to human beings.
Can You See How Fire Is Related
to These Accomplishments?
... with no skill Click Here for Answer:
In carpentry or brickmaking, like ants
Activities like carpentry
Burrowing in holes, unpractised in the signs and brickmaking,
Of blossom, fruit, and frost, from hand to mouth agriculture and
Struggling improvidently, until I navigation rely on tools
Charted the intricate orbits of the stars; best made of metal.
Invented number, that most exquisite Writing and counting are
done with a metal
Instrument; formed the alphabet, the tool
stylus. These metal
Of history and chronicle of their progress;
implements are made
Tamed the wild beasts to toil in pack and harness, through the use of fire.
And yoked the prancing mounts of opulence, Mining relies on fire to
Obedient to the rein, in chariots; separate the metal from
Constructed wheelless vehicles with linen other elements of the
Wings to carry them over the trackless waters; rock it is lodged in.
(p. 358, line 36 ff.)
 How About These?
... I
Compounded for them gentle medicines Click Here for Answer:
To arm them in the war against disease.
And I set in order the forms of prophecy, Medicines are made by
Interpreting the significance of dreams, cooking and distilling
herbs and other natural
Voices, wayside meetings; ...
substances. Dream
Taught them to inspect the entrails, of what hue
interpretation relies on
And texture they must be for heaven’s favor, writing, as explained
So leading them in to the difficult art previously. Divination is
Of divination by burnt sacrifice. done with metal
And last, who else can boast to have unlocked instruments made
The earth’s rich subterranean treasure-houses
through the use of fire.
Of iron, copper, bronze, silver, and gold?
(p. 358, line 61 ff.)