Prometheus is a poem written by English Romantic poet Lord Byron and was published in 1816. The poem is based upon the Greek heroic figure, Prometheus, as a message for hope against tyranny.
The story of Prometheus entails his heroic actions in stealing fire from the Greek Gods to give to humans. However, his actions had consequences and he was bound to a rock by Zeus, for an eternity. In the poem, it is Zeus who is cast in a negative light. Instead of being the all-powerful, strong God that the Ancient Greeks believes in, here he is presented as being a tyrannical leader and “the ruling principle of Hate."
Prometheus betrays the Gods by stealing fire, but instead of this being an act of theft, it is instead praised for being an act of mercy to humanity, who had been suffering without it. Zeus is threatened by the shift in power between the two and trembles in his stead. The poem is highlighting how the individuals can assemble to rebel against key figures and those who hold powers. There is strength in numbers, and humans have an "impenetrable Spirit" that can lead to victory.
