Aeschylus, Prometheus Bound

AESCHYLUS (525/4 B.C.--456 B.C.): son of Euphorion (an Eupatrid) born at Eleusis, an Athenian citizen. Whether he was once initiated into the Mysteries is in dispute. He fought at the Battle of Marathon (490), where his brother Cynegiros died, and at Salamis (480). He visited Sicily twice, the first time shortly after the foundation of the city of Aetna in 476, the second after the production of the Oresteia (458). He died at Gela in Sicily. He left two sons, Euaeon and Euphorion, both of whom wrote tragedies; a nephew, Philocles, was also a tragedian. He was active as early as the 70th Olympiad (496-490), when he competed against Pratinas and Choerilus. His first tragic victory came in 484. He was victorious thirteen times in all, though it is possible that at least one victory was posthumous. In 468 he was beaten for first place by Sophocles. In 467 he was victorious with his Theban trilogy, and in 458 with his Oresteia. He was said to have been the author of ca. 90 plays, of which there survive: ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● The Persians Seven against Thebes Suppliants (The Oresteia:) Agamemnon Choephoroi Eumenides Prometheus Desmotes SECTION: PROLOGOS PARODOS 472 467 ca.465-459 458 after 479 Characters and topics: Lines: DIALOGUE: Kratos (`Might') & Bia (`Violence') (1) background of the situation (2) the Power of Zeus MONOLOGUE: Prometheus Chorus (Daughters of Okeanos and Tethys): - - - Strophe a: Chorus is sympathetic to Prometheus. 128135 Anapests Prometheus calls them to witness the cruelty of Zeus 136143 Antistrophe a: Prometheus asks pity; rule of Zeus is harsh 144151 1–127 128–192 EPISODE I Anapests Prometheus desires a private punishment 152159 Strophe b: Zeus should show pity, but does not 160166 Anapests Someday Zeus will need Prometheus 167177 Antistrophe b: Prometheus is too bold, while Zeus is relentless. 178185 Anapests: Zeus will not always be this way. 186196 DIALOGUE: Chorus Leader & Prometheus (197241) ● ● ● ● ● 193–396 Battle between Zeus and the Titans Prometheus' decisive role in the victory Prometheus' rescue of humanity from annihilation Rapid Conversation: what Prometheus did for humanity (246-267) expectations for the future (257-283) THE OKEANOS SCENE: Prometheus's inflexibility is in contrast to the flexibile, diplomatic attitude of Okeanos (284-396) STASIMON I EPISODE II CHORUS indicates wholehearted sympathy for Prometheus (a purely lyrical passage, no new ideas, no real analysis of the preceding scene) Prometheus describes the effects of his work on humanity, moving them from savagery to civilization (436-506) 397–435 436–525 Chorus tries to find out more about the ultimate nature of the Universe, especially about the permanence of Zeus' rule (507-525) STASIMON II CHORUS hopes never to make Zeus angry. Prometheus angered Zeus by helping mortals. But mortals are powerless to help Prometheus. 526–560 Prometheus is much worse off than when he married the Oceanid Hesione. EPISODE III 561–886 ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● STASIMON III IO's entrance, in a state of madness (561-608 ) IO and PROMETHEUS their fates (609-630) Io's story of her past difficulties (631-686) CHORUS: Sympathetic remarks (687-695) Prometheus's account of Io's future in Europe (696-741) Io and Prometheus concerning future prospects (742-781) Prometheus's account of Io's future in Asia & Africa (782-822) Prometheus's account of Io's past travels, and of her (823-843) future and arrival in Egypt (844-876) Io becomes maddened again (877-886) The Wisdom of marrying social equals (887-893) 887–906 A prayer, not to attract Olympian attention, as Io did (fear, vulnerability, alarm) (894-906) ● ● ● EXODOS STROPHE: (887-893) ANTISTROPHE: (894-900) EPODE: (901-906), in iambics DIALOGUE: Prometheus and Chorus (907-940) ● ● ● Prometheus: Zeus is not as secure as he may seem to be. Pursuit of lower class females will undo him. (907-912) Only P can save Zeus (913-914) 907–1093 ● ● Otherwise a stronger opponent will be produced Prometheus is unconcerned about what Zeus can do to him NOW (932-94) (B) DIALOGUE: Hermes, Prometheus, Chorus (941-1093) ● ● ● ● ● ● ● H & Prometheus exchange taunts (9411013) H says that Zeus can send more grief (1014-1033) Chorus: Prometheus should give in. (10361039) Prometheus defies Zeus again. (10401053) H warns Prometheus (1054-1062) Chorus will stand by Prometheus! (10631070) Prometheus' final defiance. (1071-1093)