Prometheus
Prometheus is a figure from ancient mythology who was punished for stealing fire from the gods of Olympus. Because his intention was to give this knowledge to humans, he has taken on symbolic significance as an agent of rebellion and democracy in the modern world.
Zeus
Though not named in the poem, the references tyranny and hate are directed toward Zeus. It was Zeus who sentenced Prometheus to his agonizing punishment for his unforgivable transgression. Thus, Zeus the symbolic opposite to Prometheus, representing the selfishness of tyrants.
Fire
The overreaction of Zeus to the theft of fire is not really accounted for on the basis of fire merely being fire. Fire is symbolic of knowledge and enlightenment and thus the acquisition of its power is viewed by the gods as a movement into the domain they have set aside for themselves.
The Vulture
The punishment doled out by Zeus to Prometheus is particularly cruel. While chained to a rock, a vulture arrives to peck out and consumer the liver of Prometheus. Bad enough, that, but it gets much worse: the liver reconstitutes itself anew each night so that part of the punishment is Prometheus having to relive the experience all over again every day. In some versions of the myth, it is an eagle and not a vulture that does the dirty deed, but in regardless of which particular species, the bird is always situated as symbol of Zeus. Byron chooses the less noble path: both vulture and Zeus symbolize scavengers greedily feasting off the fruits of another’s labor.
Promethean
The poem is not really about Prometheus, but rather builds up an argumentative case for identifying a defining characteristic of human beings as Promethean. Ultimately, Byron even identifies the Titan directly as “a symbol and a sign” in which humans can see a reflection of “their fate and force.” To be Promethean is to recognize one’s unavoidable fate while accepting the wretchedness of existence at the same time one inspires toward resistance against the inequities of tyranny.
