Apollo is the sun god, in both Greek and Roman mythology, who witnesses the fall of Jupiter after Prometheus has been set free. Apollo, like all the gods and natural forces in Shelley’s poem, has been enslaved by Jupiter and is grateful to see the end of Jupiter’s reign. Conversing with Ocean, the personification of and god of the sea, Apollo expresses his delight that he will no longer have to look down from the sky and witness cruelty and violence committed by man, who has been given the knowledge and freedom to act with compassion and kindness through the destruction of Jupiter and emancipation of Prometheus. Apollo is so shocked by Jupiter’s fall that he stands and watches in wonder, causing the night to last into the day as the sun has forgotten to rise.
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Apollo Character Timeline in Prometheus Unbound
The timeline below shows where the character Apollo appears in Prometheus Unbound. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
Act 2, Scene 5
...a cloud. The Spirit tells Asia that “the sun will not rise until noon” because Apollo “is held in Heaven by wonder.” Panthea turns pale and Asia asks her what she...
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Act 3, Scene 2
Ocean and Apollo stand at the mouth of a river on the island of Atlantis discussing the fall...
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