Prometheus Bound

by

Aeschylus

Teachers and parents! Our Teacher Edition on Prometheus Bound makes teaching easy.

Prometheus Bound Symbols

Fire

Fire is referenced repeatedly throughout Prometheus Bound, and it is symbolic of many things in Aeschylus’s play. Fire at once represents Hephaistos, the Greek god of fire and blacksmiths, as well as Zeus

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Chains

When Prometheus is punished by Zeus for stealing fire and giving it to humankind, Prometheus is chained to the face of a steep mountain. Thus, chains represent Prometheus’s imprisonment and physical confinement within Prometheus Bound

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The Liver

The liver plays an important role in Prometheus Bound, representing Prometheus’s passion—his reason and dedication to the survival of the human race—within Aeschylus’s play. The liver is seen as the source of passion…

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