Special Sub-Topic: Prometheus Bound Click Here To Play: Prometheus Bound

'Prometheus Bound' was written by which Greek playwright?

Aeschylus. All three have written plays, but Aeschylus just happened to write this one.

Which person, or god, appears on the list of characters, but doesn't actually appear (physically) in the play?

Zeus. Of course Prometheus appears in the play, it's about him after all. Zeus doesn't actually appear in the play. He is merely represented by the storm in the end, and his two lackies, Might and Violence.

Which of Zeus's many loves appears in this play?

Io. Io appears in this play, already partly in cow form (she has horns). Hera is one of Zeus's wives (and his sister). Leto was a love of Zeus, and mother to Apollo and Artemis. And Maia was also a love of Zeus, and mother of Hermes.

Greek tragedies often have what is called a chorus. Who makes up the chorus in 'Prometheus Bound'?

The daughters of Ocean. The daughters of Ocean, one of the Titan sons of Gaea and Uranus, make up the chorus. They are sympathetic the Prometheus's plight.

What does Prometheus's name mean?

Forethought. Prometheus means forethought. Prometheus has a brother, Epimetheus, whose name means hindsight. He however did not appear in this play.

Why is Prometheus being punished?

He brought man fire. Prometheus is most well known for bringing man fire. In the play, he also mentions giving man hope (blind hope), so they could forget that they were mortal.

Which god chains Prometheus to the mountain?

Hephaestus. Though he really doesn't want to, Hephaestus (god of the smithy) is made to chain Prometheus to the mountain. Hermes appears in the play, but near the end. Apollo and Ares don't appear in the play at all.

Who does Prometheus say is the 'governor of Necessity'?

The Fates and Furies. This line is one of my favorites. Prometheus's exact words are 'The three Fates and the unforgetting Furies.' Remember those ladies?

Prometheus says he knows who will overthrow Zeus. Who is it?

We never find out. This play is supposedly one of three in a trilogy. Perhaps we find out who it will be in one of the later plays.

Prometheus says 'To speak is painful. ______ is painful too.' What is the other painful thing?

Silence. This is the opening line to one of Prometheus's great monologues. 'To speak is painful. Silence is painful too.' I'm sure the chains and the leaning on the rock were painful things too, but he doesn't mention it. And for all we know, he was bare foot.

How does Ocean get to Prometheus's rock?

Rode on a sea horse. Though a dolphin would also make sense, he rides in on a sea horse. He even says so. 'It is over, my long journey, thanks to an excellent mount, this sea horse, which needs no bridle...'

Which is NOT one of the things Hermes calls Prometheus?

Dear Prometheus. 'Prometheus, thief, inventor, intellectual, embittered protagonist of mortality' are the words that Hermes opens with.

Why has Hermes come to see Prometheus?

To find out Prometheus's secret. Prometheus says he knows who will overthrow Zeus, and Zeus wants to know who it is. So, he sends Hermes (the god of many things, one of those being messangers) to find out who it will be. Prometheus refuses to tell him, and Hermes finds him foolish.

Which is NOT one of the methods used to bind Prometheus?

Chain around his neck. That must all be very painful, especially the (actual wording) 'jawbone of steel' driven 'through his breast'. OUCH. We don't know whether not his neck was chained, because it was never mentioned.

Which visitor of Prometheus never leaves once they've entered?

The chorus. Hephaestus leaves after having chained Prometheus. Ocean leaves after Prometheus talks him out of asking Zeus for his (Prometheus's) freedom. Io leaves once she learns of her fate. The chorus is always there. Silent near the end, but there just the same. Hermes doesn't leave after he's entered either, but where this play ends, the second part (probably) begins, and Hermes is (most likely) still there.