Promethean Myth :: Essays Papers

Promethean MythDiscuss the relationship amidst Prometheus and Faustus, remunerative particular attention to the use of cultural myth.The beautiful fabrications of the Greeks, being prudish creations of the imagination and not of the fancy, are universal verities. What a range of meanings and what unvarying pertinence has the story of Prometheus. Ralph Waldo Emerson.The influence and legacy of the Promethean myth can be sop upd through history. From Hesiod to Shakespeare, Marlowe to the Coen Brothers, the Promethean motif has been reused and recycled until it h octogenarians a distinctly familiar, yet strangely mixed grip on the imagination. What is the reality behind this myth and how does our own modern-day reality compare with a three thousand year old Greek fable? One aspect that we can relate to is the impotence of Prometheus. This is highlighted in Marlowes Dr Faustus this impotence is inextricably linked with the conflict between the representatives of man (Prometheus and Faustus) against a superior power. To explore these links, it is first prudent to trace the history and influence of the Promethean myth.The history of this recognised cultural myth is exhausting to ascertain, certainly Aeschylus loosely based his play on Hesiods both poems Theogony and The works and Days, but where can the origin of such a fable be found? History tells us that the early civilisations made sacrifices to their different Gods an animal would be butchered, the fat, bones and entrails would be wholly burned and the smoke would ascend heavenward. The meat could then be eaten thus ensuring no waste. Hesiods version of the myth about Prometheuss and Zeuss choice seems to have been composed to explain why people didnt have to burn the parts that were good to eat (an etiologic myth). This is dependable one example, however, of the push aside creation story which can be traced passim some(prenominal) early global cultures, from Norse to Abor iginal witness Krishnas claims that Brahma is the bringer of light for rebirth in Indian mythology. James Frazer gives many examples about the original theft of fire from a wide miscellany of cultures in his essay .There is no doubt that the Promethean tradition has befit an everyday aspect of literary and artistic society Shakespearean lines such as Womens eyes are the source of true Promethean fire to And faster bound to Aarons charming eyes, than is Prometheus tied to the Caucaus 4 expand this, (Nietzsche also argues that Hamlet is a Dionysiac Promethean hero)5 .