I’ve been thinking a lot about Prometheus. I went to see the movie, but I won’t write too much about it today (although it’s a fun movie) to watch, but I won’t go into much detail, because I don’t want to spoil it for anyone reading this (if there’s anyone reading this). I’m just going to say that I don’t like that they called the movie Prometheus. I think this myth can be used as a metaphor for something much more powerful than what they did in the movie: Prometheus’ myth is about the dangers of challenging power, not just technology, or creating a new race of beings. So, if the movie had centered more on this part of the myth, it would’ve been a more fitting title. Or if they’d called it something else. Either way, it was fun (although in my personal opinion, it would’ve been a much better movie if they had allowed it to stand on its own, instead of in Alien’s shadow).
Now, about the Greek myth: Prometheus was a Titan, the race of divine beings responsible for the creation of the world and some say humans, too. In fact, according to some myths, Prometheus was the creator of the first human being. But that’s not what makes his tale interesting. Prometheus’ story is a tale not about the creation of a new race, but about the fight for power, and the price those who dare challenge the status quo have to pay.
Titans ruled the earth before the Olympian Gods. They are said to have created the first humans, a “golden race” that never grew old or got sick, but who died inexplicably in a sort of “death sleep.” Now, the Titans’ rule ended thanks to Zeus, Cronos’ son, who decided he’d had enough of daddy’s reign and decided to make a grab for power. So, he started a war and exiled the Titans to Tartarus, the deepest level of hell. Prometheus didn’t side with the Titans against Zeus, though, so that was probably why he wasn’t exiled, too. But, he didn’t like the changes Zeus made to the world order, either. Specifically the ones regarding humans. You see, the thing with Zeus (and Greek gods, in general) is that he didn’t like human’s pride, so he decided to “put them in their place,” by withholding fire and condemning them to live in the dark and without heat. Prometheus decided to intervene and stole fire from Hephaistos, the god of sun and volcanoes, and delivered it to the humans. Well, let’s just say Zeus wasn’t very happy about this when he found out. In fact, he was so not happy that he tied Prometheus to a tree (some sources say a rock, but you get the idea) and had an eagle devour his liver, which would regenerate every night, so the torture could start fresh each day.
Prometheus’ story is not just a myth of creation and how humans acquired technology (fire). Prometheus’ story is a cautionary tale to anyone (even those who think they’re stronger than the ones in power) who is thinking about challenging an established power structure. Think about it this way: Prometheus was challenging the one person in power by literally fighting for human rights. He wanted people to have the power to keep warm and see in the dark, so he acted. His actions were a direct challenge to those in power, because he took from Zeus the one thing that made him superior to the ones he wanted to rule. In other words, if Prometheus had his way, Zeus’ position as a leader would’ve been jeopardized; can you imagine what Prometheus could’ve taught humans if he hadn’t been tied to the tree?
The reason I’ve been thinking so much about this story is not so much the movie as the news. Every time I see a story about Syria, Bahrain (yes, they’re still protesting and arresting protestors), Egypt and even my own country, Venezuela, I think about those who are trying to upset the balance of power. It takes courage to become an agent of change, to challenge those who can crush you. Power is dangerous, because it often believes its own lies: that it is invincible, that it can get away with anything or that no one will dare to challenge it again, once they make an example of the first guy who dared say anything. But I think there’s reason for hope, after all, even Prometheus’ agony ended, when Herakles freed him. So, the people of Syria, Egypt, Bahrain, Venezuela and every other country trying to free themselves of tyrannical power, might see the end of it (hopefully in less than a thousand years).
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