Prometheus: The Fire-Bringer
Mrs. Kercher
6th Grade Gifted
Historical Background
Greek mythology
The myths reflect a cultural enrichment that track back to
the invasion of the Mycenaeans.
Mycenaeans were Indo-European people from the Caucasus
and grassland Steppes of Eurasia.
Mycenaeans conquered the island of Crete where the
Minoan civilization lived.
Archeologists have uncovered many tablets from both
civilizations mention many earth divinities.
Mycenaeans
They adopted and transformed the accomplishments of
the older Mediterranean civilizations:
Painting and sculpting --- Minoans and Egyptians
Alphabet --- Phoenicians
Mathematics ---- Babylonians
Use of Iron ---- Hittites
Appeal and Value
Prometheus is the most important
It asserts divinity must respect the needs of human
beings
It depicts complex personality traits that are universal
and timeless
It was first written by Hesiod and later by Aeschylus
Two Great Writers
Hesiod
Explains the origin of gods and morals as well as particular aspects of
human life
Explains the source of the many evils that are part of the human
condition
Aeschylus
Prometheus’s bondage
Origin of the earthquakes
Explains how human beings were created
Examines the relationship between human beings and their gods
Examines the pattern of attitudes and behavior
Arete – excellence
Hubris – excessive pride
Ate – blind recklessness
Nemsis – form of retribution resulting in personal tragedy
Characters in the story.
Prometheus
Zeus
Pandora
Gods
Mortal Humans
Prometheus
In Greek mythology, Prometheus means “a great
benefactor” of mankind.
He was son of the Titan Iapetus and of Clymene
or Themis.
In a legend, Prometheus saved a human race
from extinction by warning his son about a huge
flood.
In myths, Prometheus was released by Hercules,
Zeus’ father.
Zeus
Historians believe that Zeus was born in a cave
on Mount Ida on the island of Crete.
Unlike mainland Greeks, the Cretans believed
that Zeus died and was resurrected annually.
Zeus was the father of many children. Hercules,
Dionysos, Apollo, and Athena are just four
popular ones.
Some experts believe that “Zeus” wasn’t his real
name and that it was his god name.
Pandora
Pandora was a Greek Goddess.
Pandora’s weaknesses are deceitfulness, and
later her curiosity.
Her parents are Prometheus and Epimetheus.
She was named the “Mother of Troubles.”
Pandora's name means the "one who gives all
gifts" and has a positive connotation.
Gods and Mortals
They all strive to achieve arete, in their endeavors.
It is a four stage process:
First, the arete is revealed in their cleverness, strength, or
great skill.
Usually it leads to hubris or excessive pride. Hubris remains
hidden.
However, that leads to ate or “blind recklessness.” This leads
one to overstep his/her boundaries and commit a rash act.
Finally, those who succumb to ate inevitably reach the final
stage, nemesis. Nemesis is a form of retribution that results
in personal tragedy.
Motifs
Yoke and Harness
The yoke and harness is a motif recurring throughout
the play from beginning to end, and used in all cases
except one to stand in for Zeus's tyrannical power.
Time
Time is referred to throughout the play, bolstered by
related motifs of Zeus's newness as ruler, generational
conflicts among the gods, and the importance of Fate.
Vocabulary
P. 166 – tame, oracles
P. 167 – solemn rites, sacrificial, resolve, buffeted, infinite
P. 168 – barren, benign, bode
P. 169 – benefactor, inscrutable
P. 170 – adversary, wily
P. 171 – wiles
P. 172 – forge, fennel
P. 173 – pith, rind
P. 176 – fetters
P. 177 - subordination
Literary Elements
P. 163 – “mortal men lived like ants in dark shelters”
P. 169 – “wine, dark sea”
P. 172 – “the blazing sun stretched forth its ravenous
tongue and tasted the fennel’s pith”
P. 176 – “My mother has told me that you’ll marry a
goddess whose son will be greater than his father.”
Reflection Questions
The name Prometheus means “forethought.” To what
extent, if any, does Prometheus exercise forethought?
What heroic qualities does Prometheus posses that
account for his lasting fame?
The ancient Greeks observed the destructive pattern of
attitude and behavior. How does this pattern apply to
both Zeus and Prometheus?
Why is this considered to be the “greatest” myth?
Sample Responses – Heroic Qualities
Some heroic qualities that Prometheus possesses are
fire, selflessness, creativity, bravery, intellect, and the
ability to control things. (not acceptable)
Prometheus has many heroic qualities. In the myths
read in class, he display bravery and strength by
standing up to Zeus. Next, he shows how selfless he is
by putting the importance of his people first and
tolerating the daily torture Zeus places upon him. In
addition, he is extremely intelligent. He is able to see
into the future and make changes to the pattern of
events that will impact his people. Overall, these
qualities and actions make him a hero in the eyes of his
people. (acceptable)
Sample Responses (Greatest Myth)
The myth about Prometheus is often considered to be
the greatest Greek myth. First, it make human beings
more important than their greatest god. This is very
unusual in mythology, where gods are worshipped in
the attempt to ensure human survival and prosperity.
Second, Prometheus’s support of humans and his
willingness to withstand thirty years of torture makes
him a hero. Prometheus’s bravery and tolerate and
endure pain is exceptional. All in all, this myth is the
greatest. (acceptable response)
This myth is the great myth because it tells the story
about how Prometheus risked his life in order to keep
his mortal people alive. It is the greatest myth because
it shows the determination of Prometheus in order to
keep the human race alive. (not acceptable)
Compare and Contrast Myths
Similarities
Relation of Zeus and Prometheus; Cronus
Civilized life of human race
Conflict between Zeus and Prometheus over fire
Background information on man
Zeus’s greed; attitude to attain excellence ---- nemesis
Prometheus forethought
Prometheus disobeying Zeus ---- punishment
Prometheus selflessness
Literary elements – symbolism, foreshadowing; imagery
Prometheus assisting human race
Compare and Contrast Myths
Textbook p. 165
More gods mentioned
Prometheus teaches man about tools, weapons
Zeus – Great Cloud Gather
In-depth (creation of man)
Prometheus’s torture
Prometheus’s creation of Pandora
Underworld
Compare and Contrast Myths
Handout
Mysterious yellow rod
Hermes tells gods about Prometheus’s actions
Four eras of humans
Focus is really on fire and it being provided to man
Description more on Prometheus
Other relatives to Prometheus
Three Paragraph Response
Write a three paragraph response for the following
prompt: Compare and contrast the two myths of
Prometheus.
Be sure to have the following:
Introduction paragraph
Body
Conclusion