Prometheus and the First People by Olivia E. Coolidge

Theme: Punishment

Punishment refers to an imposition of a penalty resulting from the undesirable outcome
of an offense. In this story, the theme of punishment is evident when Prometheus disobeys Zeus
by stealing the gift of fire from him and giving it to human beings, resulting in his punishment.

Introduction

“God Zeus allowed Prometheus and his brother Epithemeus to help create the animals of earth,”
(p.427).
“Epithemeus replied that he given out all gifts, but had forgotten to save gifts for the last animal-
man,” (p.427)
At the beginning of this myth, Prometheus and his brother were tasked with the creation,
but Epithemeus made a mistake and gave all gifts to animals forgetting man. Prometheus created
man, gave him the gift of fire, which was forbidden, as it was divine, and belonged to the gods.
These sentences are essential to the theme of punishment since they mark the beginning of the
conflict between Prometheus and Zeus.

Rising Action

“Before this time fire was a divine thing and belonged only to the gods. It was one of
their greatest treasures and Zeus would never have given Prometheus the permission to use it in
the creation of man,” (p.428).

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There was a conflict between Zeus and Prometheus about the need for man to have the
fire. The fire was divine, and only the gods possessed it because it was precious to them, and
Zeus did not allow Prometheus to give it to man. Concerning the theme of punishment, the
conflict and disagreement between Prometheus and Zeus over the gift of fire impacted the
penalty imposed on Prometheus for disobeying and disregarding Zeus’s orders.

Climax

“Finally, Prometheus gave humans a special gift-the gift of fire,” (p.428). Prometheus
was able to steal the gift of fire and bring it down to the people who started using it for cooking,
torching, warming, and even farming. This was the main disobedience that Prometheus did that
made Zeus punish him.

Falling Action

“Therefore, when Prometheus stole it, Zeus was furious indeed,” (p.428). At this point,
when Zeus saw that Prometheus had stolen the gift of fire and given it to man, he was furious
with him. This relates to the theme because this was Prometheus’s offense against Zeus. Most
importantly, Zeus did not punish the people but decided to deal with Prometheus.

Resolution

“He chained Prometheus to great, lofty rock, where the sun scorched him by the day and
the cruel frost tortured him by night,” (p.428). Also, “For many centuries Prometheus hung in
torment, but he was wiser than Zeus, and by reason of a secret he had, he forced Zeus in later
ages to set him free,” (p.428). These two quotes indicate that Zeus was furious with Prometheus
for stealing the gift of fire and handing it to the people. Thus, to avenge his misdeeds, Zeus
decided to punish Prometheus by tying him up with chains at the mountain’s peak and allowing

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vultures to prey on his belly, thus the theme of punishment. Later, Prometheus was able to use
his secret to force Zeus to release him.

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Works Cited

Coolidge, Olivia. “Prometheus and the First People.” Literacy Analysis: Myths,
http://sdevisser.pbworks.com/w/file/fetch/110433478/Prometheus. Accessed 18 Aug
2022.