Examples Of Archetypes In Prometheus Bound

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Prometheus Bound has many interpretations and has been viewed by many different people. The play by Aeschylus is about the relationship between the gods, and the determination of one Titan, and that is Prometheus. Prometheus had one goal, and that was to make human lives better, and help them progress through life. This play shows many the archetypes in the characters in this play, like Zeus Prometheus, and Hephaestus. Zeus is known for being the lightning god, and the ruler of the gods. A lot of what we have read about him has given the impression that he has a few archetypes that describe him perfectly. Those archetypes would be: ruler, creator, and rebel. Ruler is probably the archetype described for him in this play. He always asserts …show more content…

Prometheus said speaking to himself, “I hunted out the secret ring of fire that filled the narthex stem, which when revealed became the teacher of each craft to men, a great resource. This is the sin committed for which i stand accountant for.” (Aeschylus, Prometheus Bound lines 109-112). This is when Prometheus is speaking after he is nailed in his chains. The book says, “It was Hephaestus’ own brilliant ‘flower’ of fire, deviser of all the arts, that Prometheus stole, and for this error he must pay to all the gods.” (Lenardon, Morford, Sham, 2011, p.98). This talks about Prometheus stealing the fire, and that Zeus has to punish him. Prometheus did this to help the humans, and help them with their progression through …show more content…

His archetype would be a servant. Zeus commands him to make the chains that Prometheus is bound in. Might tells Hephaestus this, “Hephaestus, it is you who must heed the commands the Father has laid upon you to nail this malefactor to the high craggy rocks in fetters unbreakable of adamantine chain.” (Aeschylus, Prometheus Bound lines 5-8). This talks about Zeus’ command for Hephaestus to do his duty and craft chains for the man that wronged the gods. Hephaestus being the god of fire and the forge, it was his duty to follow the command of Zeus and craft the materials needed for this punishment. Even though he didn’t have that big of role in this play, he still was presented with the archetype of being a servant to Zeus and the other god’s