Themes Spawned from the Conflict between Prometheus and Zeus Hialy Gutierrez

Prometheus Bound serves as an allegory radiant in theme. Yet, while the symbolism employed by Aeschylus is fairly ubiquitous, and while some scholars argue that the paramount issues of Aeschylus's play lie in both Prometheus's services to mankind and in Io's wanderings and future progeny, it is in the relationship between Prometheus and Zeus that the most notable concepts are manifested. It is through the interaction between the so-called "master of the universe" and the human-loving "superhuman" that such striking themes as individuality, justice, and moderation (or lack, thereof) can be well illustrated. (62)

The struggle between individuality and conformity has been used prevalently in literature. Examples include Alduous Huxley's Brave New World and Mark Twain's The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, in which the protagonist is pressured to decide between what his own conscience deems as just and what the masses view as acceptable. The Book of Job provides a biblical instance in which this same theme is introduced in the relationship between the ill-fated Job and his Comforters. Aeschylus's Prometheus Bound serves as yet another example where the battle between individuality and...