Byron's Promethean Man
Promethean Man:
Childe Harold's Pilgrimage
The Myth of Prometheus:
The ancient Greek myth of Prometheus is a tale about philanthropy, strength of character, moral truth and the willingness to sacrifice oneself for the good of others. It has stayed one of the most influential Greek myths throughout the centuries, and has inspired numerous works of art from literature to paintings and sculputres.
In Greek mythology, Prometheus (derived from the ancient Greek word meaning "forethought") was one of the Titans, the original race of gods sprung from earth and sky. He sided with Zeus and the other major gods of classical Greece when they overthrew the other Titans. Prometheus molded the original human race out of clay. The Roman poet Ovid writes that he made humankind in godlike form from clay, and says that maybe the creative power of the era gave us intelligence. Prometheus was a champion of mankind, known for his intelligence, who stole fire from Zeus and gave it to mortals. Zeus then punished him for his crime by having him bound to a rock while a great eagle ate his liver every day only to have it grow back to be eaten again the next day. Humans were also punished. In retaliation, Zeus offered the first woman to the humans, Pandora, (the name means "all gifts"), who carried a jar with her, from which were released ''evils, harsh pain and troublesome diseases which give men death''. The Myth of Prometheus has been treated by a number of ancient sources, in which he is credited with – or blamed for – playing a pivotal role in the early history of mankind.
Prometheus's character and fate corresponded with the Romantic Period's philosophy, so it is not surprising that the Romantics took Prometheus's tortured yet idealistic character as one of their own heroes. For them, Prometheus was the rebel who resisted institutional tyranny which was embodied in Zeus — church, monarch, and patriarch. They drew comparisons between Prometheus and the spirit of the
Childe Harold's Pilgrimage
The Myth of Prometheus:
The ancient Greek myth of Prometheus is a tale about philanthropy, strength of character, moral truth and the willingness to sacrifice oneself for the good of others. It has stayed one of the most influential Greek myths throughout the centuries, and has inspired numerous works of art from literature to paintings and sculputres.
In Greek mythology, Prometheus (derived from the ancient Greek word meaning "forethought") was one of the Titans, the original race of gods sprung from earth and sky. He sided with Zeus and the other major gods of classical Greece when they overthrew the other Titans. Prometheus molded the original human race out of clay. The Roman poet Ovid writes that he made humankind in godlike form from clay, and says that maybe the creative power of the era gave us intelligence. Prometheus was a champion of mankind, known for his intelligence, who stole fire from Zeus and gave it to mortals. Zeus then punished him for his crime by having him bound to a rock while a great eagle ate his liver every day only to have it grow back to be eaten again the next day. Humans were also punished. In retaliation, Zeus offered the first woman to the humans, Pandora, (the name means "all gifts"), who carried a jar with her, from which were released ''evils, harsh pain and troublesome diseases which give men death''. The Myth of Prometheus has been treated by a number of ancient sources, in which he is credited with – or blamed for – playing a pivotal role in the early history of mankind.
Prometheus's character and fate corresponded with the Romantic Period's philosophy, so it is not surprising that the Romantics took Prometheus's tortured yet idealistic character as one of their own heroes. For them, Prometheus was the rebel who resisted institutional tyranny which was embodied in Zeus — church, monarch, and patriarch. They drew comparisons between Prometheus and the spirit of the