Resumo de Prometheus Bound

Prometheus gives man fire against Zeus? wishes. Prometheus is sentenced to eternal punishment. Taken to a mountain in the Caucasus, Prometheus is held by two servants of Zeus, Kratus and Bia. They are followed by Hephaestus, Prometheus? friend, who Zeus orders to chain Prometheus to the rock, so that he may learn to appreciate Zeus? rule. Hephaestus pities his friend and is distressed because he is duty bound to carry out Zeus? sentence. Kratus insists that Hephaestus carry out his duty because it is futile and risky to show empathy for the enemies of Zeus. Listening to Kratus, Hephaestus binds Prometheus to the rock and leaves Prometheus to his fate.
Prometheus asks Nature to observe how the gods treat one another. Prometheus reveals his ability to prophecy and that he must suffer because fate demands it; and no one can deny fate. Hearing the wings flapping, he discovers the Chorus of Oceanids, daughters of Oceanus, who fly on winged chariots. They empathize with Prometheus's suffering, lamenting that Zeus only follows his own laws. Prophesying, Prometheus foretells when Zeus will be in jeopardy and require his friendship to evade it.
The Oceanids ask Prometheus what crime he has perpetrated to warrant such punishment. Prometheus tells of the war between Zeus and the Titans. Prometheus sought to aid the Titans. However, the Titans disliked the subterfuge he suggested and instead used force. Prometheus offered Zeus his cunning, helping Zeus win. But like all tyrants, Zeus now punishes Prometheus because he mistrusts his friends. Brazenly, Prometheus stood against Zeus, who had planned to destroy humanity. Prometheus gave mankind blind hope and fire. Horrified, the chorus says that he?s sinned. Prometheus answers that that may be so, but he did so willingly and refuses to forsake his action. Prometheus requests that the Chorus come down to earth that he might recount the whole story.
Riding a winged beast, Oceanus flies before Prometheus and demands that he stop aggravating Zeus so that he can have Prometheus released. Prometheus scoffs at the idea, since talking to Zeus would pointless; and Oceanus should not risk his safety by petitioning Zeus for him. Oceanus says dialogue is necessary for healing. Prometheus says that the necessary medicine must be employed at the appropriate time. Oceanus leaves Prometheus, persuaded by his resounding refusal of help.
The Chorus sings of the old world?s despair over the suffering of Prometheus and his brothers (particularly, Atlas) at the hands of Zeus. Prometheus recaps all he has accomplished for humankind. He educated man in the ways of agriculture, mathematics, language, sailing, and the domestication of animals. He likewise instructed mankind in the areas of medicine, mining, and prophecy. Apparently, all human arts are derived from him. In the course of his dialogue, he almost reveals his prophecy. He holds back his revelation, telling them his divination will bring him freedom because even Zeus is a slave to fate. The Oceanids express disapproval of Prometheus for aiding men who cannot return the favor, restate their allegiance to Zeus, and yet fondly recall his joyous wedding to their sister.
Wearing cow horns, io enters, howling about the torturous bites of a gadfly and the spirit of Argos, who pursues her. She prays to Zeus and demands to know the reason he tortures her. Prometheus reveals himself and tells her about his punishment. Io requests to know about her future travels. The Chorus first demands to know of her past suffering. She explains that Zeus lusted for her and forced her father to drive her from his house. Once she left home, she was transformed into a cow and protected by Argos. Argos was slain, only to return as a ghost accompanied by a gadfly that doggedly chased her throughout the world. Prometheus then reveals her future wanderings throughout Europe, Asia, and Africa, and warns her to avoid dangerous monsters and people.
Prometheus divulges that Zeus will, in the future, select a lover whose son will overthrow his father; and, only he can help put a stop to Prometheus? torture. Furthermore, Prometheus prophecies that one of Io's descendant will free him in the future. He foretells of the end to Io?s journey when Zeus will show her mercy, cure her, and impregnate her with a touch. Io?s descendants will become kings of Argos. Tortured by the gadfly, Io exits. The Oceanids sing of the perils of marrying above one's own rank, hoping that Zeus is never infatuated with them.
Prometheus, enraged by Io's suffering, screams to heaven that Zeus's own son will overthrow him. Hermes, Zeus's messenger, enters and demands that Prometheus reveal the identity of this son's mother. Mockingly, Prometheus tells Hermes he will reveal nothing. Frustrated, Hermes denounces Prometheus as being overly headstrong, defiant, and insane. Employing sarcasm and insults, Prometheus parries Hermes? accusations. Hermes counsels Prometheus to back down before Zeus sends a storm to cast him into Tartarus, only to emerge the next day and have an eagle eat his liver ? in an endless cycle of pain and death, continuing until a god agrees to die for him. The Chorus begs Prometheus to give in, but Prometheus is not afraid of destiny. Hermes demands the Oceanids leave. They retort that betraying a friend is the worst of all crimes. They vow to stay with Prometheus. The earth shakes and thunder surrounds him. Prometheus implores the elements to bear witness to his martyrdom.

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