P2+2013+GL+Prometheus

= =  PROMETHEUS   THE FIRE-BRINGER

Aim By: Kyra Stek

The aim of Greek myths are often to teach lessons or to educate Greeks about how the world is thought to be formed. A critic states, “What makes the study of myth intellectually stimulating and imaginatively compelling is that such stories were—and are—sincere attempts at answering humanity’s most enduring and fundamental questions: How did the universe and world come to be?” (What is Myth?: An Essay) This shows that Greeks, while they did not know of the historic past of the universe and how it actually came to be, they struggled to answer these questions. The myths also represent the flaws of humanity (see: Pandora’s Box) and show the punishments for these, and also the origin through the humanity of the characters. The Greek myths were used to explain what normal humans could not: through their religion, they demonstrated the origin in a way everyone could agree with. In Prometheus in particular, the purpose of this myth was to demonstrate how theft (of fire, which he later gave to humanity) is detrimental and is majorly frowned upon. In this sense, the aim was to, essentially, put rules into effect, seeing the consequences of such actions and warning the people away from committing such acts.

"What Is Myth?: An Essay" What Is Myth?: An Essay N.p., n.d. Web. 05 Dec. 2013.

Audience By: Blaire Krakowitz

The Greek myth of Prometheus was aimed at the common people of Greece because it gave them a better understanding of the world around them. As stated by a history and Greek mythology expert, “Myths are early science, the result of men’s first trying to explain the world around them” (Hamilton 19). Humans have a natural curiosity about the world around them, but there was extremely limited scientific understanding in ancient times. The purpose of a myth was to explain the way the world worked. Fire, for example, was vital for survival in ancient Greece; it provided warmth and a way to cook food. People desired to understand where fire came from, and so someone (Hamilton takes Prometheus’s story from Hesiod and Aeschylus,  though it was most likely first told orally) invented the story of Prometheus in order to explain to the Greek people how fire came to be. Those who were thinkers desired to know how fire came about, therefore the story was invented and spread among the Greek people. The creator of the myth assumed that his audience would accept the story as truth as how fire came to be because the Greeks shared their pagan religion, and so they did. As with any of the early Greek myths, the story of Prometheus also played a part in the religion practiced by most, if not all, Greeks; it was written for them. There is no secondary audience to the myth of Prometheus. The Greeks were concerned with increasing their own knowledge; they did not intend for the story to spread around the world as it has in the centuries since it came to be.

Works Cited: Hamilton, Edith. Mythology: Edith Hamilton. New York: Spark Pub., 2002. 19. Print.

Historical By: Bethany Stewart

Prometheus in Greek mythology was the one of the Titan demi-gods. He had the ability to predict the future for “his name means ‘forethought’” (Prometheus). Prometheus and his brother, Epimetheus, were given the job, by Zeus, to create humans. Prometheus took a great liking to the humans, and he was known as their protector. He gave them many donations, including fire. He went as far as to let only the bad parts of animals to be sacrificed to the Gods. Zeus is angered by this so he punishes Prometheus by chaining him to a rock. Every day an eagle would come and eat at his liver, and every night his liver would grow back. He was cursed to this for all of eternity or until Prometheus apologizes and admits to Zeus his wronging. Eventually, Hercules rescues him without Zeus’ blessing.

"Prometheus." Greek Mythology. Greek Mythology, 2000. Web. 02 Dec. 2013.

Cultural: Natalie Marcantonio <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%;">

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%;">In this society, many things influence this culture, such as people and their actions. One clear and commonly seen influence is the titan god from Greek mythology, Prometheus. This titan was given the task of making man from clay; but then to help his creation he gave them fire, which angered the gods, specifically, Zeus (king of the Gods). Along with that the titan ‘locked up’ all miseries that could hurt humankind, that were then released by Pandora, the woman made by Zeus to plague mankind with the releasing of “chaos, sickness, poverty, war, suffering and despair” (Prometheus). The titan’s punishment was being chained to a stake on Mount Caucasus and having an eagle devour his liver every day; as his liver would always regenerate daily. This titan gave to humanity fire, which is seen in every year in the Olympic Games where the torch of fire that he gave to humanity stolen from the gods. He gave them his example that “symbolized unyielding strength that resists oppression” (Prometheus). Many today who are intellectual, clever, bold, selfless and creative are seen as being like Prometheus. He has influenced the culture of humankind through his gifts, intellect, boldness, and bravery to help ‘shape’ his creation in ‘the likeness of the Gods’.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%;">Works Cited: <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%;">"Who Was Prometheus? - Promethean Spark International." Promethean Spark International. N.p., n.d. Web. 04 Dec. 2013.