Prometheus Bound- Humans and Hope
It is interesting getting some backstory into Zeus’ history with wanting to wipe out mankind. Prometheus speaks of the god’s desire to breed a new species of humankind around line 345. This section brings up the questions I had reading The Iliad about whether Zeus was trying to destroy all demi-gods because they might become too powerful and somehow threaten his reign. Prometheus Bound, feels like an ancient tale or at least one which exists in an alternate realm because of none of the characters being mortal. If Zeus wants to breed a new species of mankind, what does he ultimately want out of them? To not challenge the gods and only worship and obey? I am trying to imagine a situation in which they can create more humans that aren’t demi-gods because it seems their only way of making them is by sleeping with mortals. Or are they able to divinely create humans in other ways? It is also interesting how Prometheus says that humans used to see their own deaths! But then he gave them blind hope and that ended that (374). Why does he specifically want humans to live a life with hope, which is seemingly a better life than one without hope- though one could argue that if you know when you’re going to die you’d live each day more purposely.
I agree, it's interesting to see Zeus' thoughts, and gain some insight into how fearful he is of being weaker than anyone else. I think this goes back to when he was originally captured and freed by Thetis, thus giving him a reason to be fearful of anyone that might be more powerful than him. This is especially evident by his desire to get rid of all demi-gods, even though he knows that there's no real chance that they will ever be stronger than him. Simply the idea of fear is strong enough for him to wipe out people much weaker than him, and even to go as far as wiping out the entirety of mankind.
ReplyDeleteI really like the questions that you brought up! I was wondering maybe because Zeus just defeated his father, and he is still at the beginning of ruling his kingdom that is why he is in a state of fear. Since he overthrew his father he feels like anyone could do the same to him, and that is why he doesn't want to let Titans, Demigods and even the humans to have more knowledge or strength than him. Don't you think that Prometheus could've done all these good deeds for the human race as a way of competing with Zeus?
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