Prometheus Bound

Aeschylus

Description

Though it tells the stories of the defeated, Prometheus Bound and Other Plays features four tragedies that depict both unfortunate demises and the essence of the fighting human spirit. The Suppliants, the first play of the collection, follows the daughters of Danaus as they flee from the loveless marriages that had been forced upon them. The Persians, perhaps the oldest surviving play in existence, portrays the defeat of the Persian King Xeroxes. Though written by a Greek man who fought in the Persian war, The Persians displays a surprisingly sympathetic view of the opposing army. Next in the collection is Seven Against Thebes, which follows the battle between two brothers for the throne of Thebes. After the banishment of Oedipus, Eteocles and Adrastus, the two brothers, engaged in an epic war, fulfilling the tragic curse of the Oedipus family. The title tragedy in Prometheus Bound and Other Plays, Prometheus Bound, tells the tale of the downfall of the titian Prometheus. Before Prometheus, mankind had no advantage over the gods that ruled the heavens and Earth. Humans were forced to cower in the cold darkness, plagued by ignorance until Prometheus took pity on them. With heroic intentions, Prometheus stole fire and knowledge from Olympus and gave it to mankind. Though he brought light, warmth, and understanding to Earth, Zeus was outraged, and so began Prometheus’ punishment.

Featuring the oldest surviving play, legendary myths, epic battles, and humanist perspectives, Prometheus Bound and Other Plays by Aeschylus is a classic tragedy that exemplifies empathy and the human spirit even in its tales of defeat. Written by the father of tragedy, this collection is a privileged possession.

This edition of Prometheus Bound and Other Plays by Aeschylus is now easier than ever to enjoy with a modern, readable font and a stunning new cover design. Witness a surprising triumph of spirit even in the face of failure with Prometheus Bound and Other Plays.

Sujets

• Historical
• Ancient
• Fiction

Informations

• Publié par: Mint Editions
• Date de parution: 01 décembre 2020
• Nombre de lectures: 0
• EAN13: 9781513272740
• Langue: English

Extrait

Prometheus Bound
Aeschylus
 

This version of Prometheus Bound was copyrighted in 1897, by David McKay.
This edition published by Mint Editions 2020.
ISBN 9781513267746 | E-ISBN 9781513272740
Published by Mint Editions®
minteditionbooks.com
Publishing Director: Jennifer Newens
Design & Production: Rachel Lopez Metzger
Translation: Theodore Alois Buckley
Typesetting: Westchester Publishing Services
 

C ONTENTS P ROMETHEUS C HAINED
 

P ROMETHEUS C HAINED
Prometheus having, by his attention to the wants of men, provoked the anger of Jove, is bound down in a cleft of a rock in a distant desert of Scythia. Here he not only relates the wanderings, but foretells the future lot of Io, and likewise alludes to the fall of Jove’s dynasty. Disdaining to explain his meaning to Mercury, he is swept into the abyss amid terrific hurricane and earthquake.
P ERSONS R EPRESENTED
S TRENGTH .
F ORCE .
V ULCAN .
P ROMETHEUS .
C HORUS OF N YMPHS , D AUGHTERS OF O CEAN .
I O , D AUGHTER OF I NACHUS . M ERCURY .
S TRENGTH , F ORCE , V ULCAN , P ROMETHEUS
S TRENGTH: We are come to a plain, the distant boundary of the earth, to the Scythian track, to an untrodden desert. Vulcan, it behooves thee that the mandates, which thy Sire imposed, be thy concern—to bind this daring wretch to the lofty-cragged rocks, in fetters of adamantine chains that can not be broken; for he stole and gave to mortals thy honor, the brilliancy of fire [ that aids ] all arts. Hence for such a trespass he must needs give retribution to the gods, that he may be taught to submit to the sovereignty of Jupiter, and to cease from his philanthropic disposition.
V ULCAN: Strength and Force, as far as you are concerned, the mandate of Jupiter has now its consummation, and there is no farther obstacle. But I have not the courage to bind perforce a kindred god to this weather-beaten ravine. Yet in every way it is necessary for me to take courage for this task; for a dreadful thing it is to disregard the directions of the Sire. Lofty-scheming son of right-counseling Themis, unwilling shall I rivet thee unwilling in indissoluble shackles to this solitary rock, where nor voice nor form of any one of mortals shalt thou see; but slowly scorched by the bright blaze of the sun thou shalt lose the bloom of thy complexion; and to thee joyous shall night in spangled robe veil the light; and the sun again disperse the hoar-frost of the morn; and evermore shall the pain of the present evil waste thee; for no one yet born shall release thee. Such fruits hast thou reaped from thy friendly disposition to mankind. For thou, a god, not crouching beneath the wrath of the gods, hast imparted to mortals honors beyond what was right. In requital whereof thou shalt keep sentinel on this cheerless rock, standing erect, sleepless, not bending a knee: and many laments and unavailing groans shalt thou utter; for the heart of Jupiter is hard to be entreated; and every one that has newly-acquired power is stern.
S TRENGTH: Well, well! Why art thou delaying and vainly commiserating? Why loathest thou not the god that is most hateful to the gods, who has betrayed thy prerogative to mortals?
V ULCAN: Relationship and intimacy are of great power.
S TRENGTH: I grant it—but how is it possible to disobey the Sire’s word? Dreadest thou not this the rather?
V ULCAN: Ay truly thou art ever pitiless and full of boldness.
S TRENGTH: For to deplore this wretch is no cure [ for him ]. But concern not thou thyself vainly with matters that are of no advantage.
V ULCAN: O much detested handicraft!
S TRENGTH: Wherefore loathest thou it! for with the ills now present thy craft in good truth is not at all chargeable.
V ULCAN: For all that, I would that some other had obtained this.
S TRENGTH: Every thing has been achieved except for the gods to rule; for no one is free save Jupiter.
V ULCAN: I know it—and I have nothing to say against it.
S TRENGTH: Wilt thou not then bestir thyself to cast fetters about this wretch, that the Sire may not espy thee loitering?
V ULCAN: Ay, and in truth you may see the manacles ready.
S TRENGTH: Take them, and with mighty force clench them with the mallet about his hands: rivet him close to the crags.
V ULCAN: This work of ours is speeding to its consummation and loiters not.
S TRENGTH: Smite harder, tighten, slacken at no point, for he hath cunning to find outlets even from impracticable difficulties.
V ULCAN: This arm at all events is fastened inextricably.
S TRENGTH: And now clasp this securely, that he may perceive himself to be a duller contriver than Jupiter.
V ULCAN: Save this [ sufferer ], no one could with reason find fault with me.
S TRENGTH: Now by main force rivet the ruthless fang of an adamantine wedge right through his breast.
V ULCAN: Alas! alas! Prometheus, I sigh over thy sufferings.
S TRENGTH: Again thou art hanging back, and sighest thou over the enemies of Jupiter? Look to it, that thou hast not at some time to mourn for thyself.
V ULCAN: Thou beholdest a spectacle ill-sighted to the eye.
S TRENGTH: I behold this wretch receiving his deserts. But fling thou these girths round his sides.
V ULCAN: I must needs do this; urge me not very much.
S TRENGTH: Ay, but I will urge thee, and set thee on too. Move downward, and strongly link his legs.
V ULCAN: And in truth the task is done with no long toil.
S TRENGTH: With main force now smite the galling fetters, since stern indeed is the inspector of this work.
V ULCAN: Thy tongue sounds in accordance with thy form.
S TRENGTH: Yield thou to softness, but taunt not me with ruthlessness and harshness of temper.