Greek Mythology: The Impact Of Prometheus On Society

In Greek Mythology, heroes play a vital role to give significance and purpose to a myth. Numerous heroes are still remembered for willingly helping the civilization or fulfilling their goal through the distinctive characteristics they obtain, making them appealing from other heroes. However, out of all of the protagonists, Prometheus, a Titan in Greek mythology, is considered to be the most heroic character portrayed and has played a prominent influence towards humanity tremendously. His heroism can be seen within his quest to help mankind, through the bravery in the impediments he has faced yet he is not invincible, and finally, he has sought more of a greater impression towards the community than what he had actually accomplished in the myth.

First and foremost, an illustration of how Prometheus is a substantial hero in mythology is through his search for equality and to help mankind to reach his goal which shows his call to action. Before humanity was ever created, there had been a conflict between the gods and the Titans. The Titans are overthrown and the majority of them had fallen into hell. However, one of the Titans, Prometheus convinces his brother to fight alongside the gods. The gods were very much satisfied and as an offer of gratitude, he allowed the brothers to create all living creatures to live upon the earth. His brother, Epimetheus had been ordered to distribute the god's attributes onto the living things such as giving animals the ability to swim, to fly and to run on grass. On the other hand, Prometheus created the first-ever human onto the earth and had portrayed them in the form of the gods. Yet, Zeus, the supreme god of the Olympians, wanted the humans to be mortal and be vulnerable so they may depend on the gods causing them to be more superior. In the perception of Prometheus, he didn’t prefer this approach as he felt pity for those on earth and visioned the humans for a better use than to be dependent on the gods. He had loved his own creation more than the Olympians.

This had led him to devise a trick. His attempt to help ameliorate lives on earth had developed dispute with the gods. Moreover, even though after the trick, Zeus realized what Prometheus had done and eliminated fire from earth. Prometheus, undaunted, went to steal fire from the workshop of Hephaestus and Athena and bestowed it towards the people. With the fire, humans could care and be more dependent with themselves. This shows this is a gift to mankind bringing in knowledge and progression to the human race. Having said that, they may also use it to forge war. Although he had been known for being a trickster figure towards the gods in Mount Olympus, his intention and goal were for a greater purpose for the humans living down on Earth. Above all, we can see that because of the goal Prometheus has ventured to accomplish under risky conditions has led humanity to progress and develop throughout the years and allow ourselves to be more individualistic within.

Furthermore, another demonstration of how Prometheus is recognized to be a crucial hero in mythology is though he may look undaunted, he is human in his morality and nature. Prometheus is known to be compassionate, kind and loving towards the humans on the earth. A true hero’s wound can be hurt both mentally and physically; Prometheus was wounded in both ways. Henceforth, though he may not face despair achieving this goal, his risky quest had led him to a tragic fate given to him by Zeus. He had chained Prometheus alone on a cliff for eternity. Each day, he would be tormented by a vulture, who will cut and rip his liver apart. But every night, his liver will tend to grow back and to be assailed again and endure the pain again. Hence, it portrays how that Prometheus loses his Titan form and tries to sustain and live like a mortal under the circumstances he is facing. His sacrifice towards mankind has helped improve humanity it is today. Despite the fact that Prometheus may suffer, he has never regretted what he had done to change and enhance humanity from then on. As can be seen, Prometheus reminds us that no hero can be perfect in our natures and that we all have a flaw as he is known to be an essential hero through the resilience of injustice that caused him to suffer in agony.

Finally, the last indication of how Prometheus is known to be an imperative hero is he had immensely influenced towards the society by giving hope that what he had actually commenced in doing. Not only did he help give the humans more power but he also helped the progression of the community, allowing them to acquire more knowledge, more skills, and independence. He depicts that in order for us as individuals to go past our limits and find our capability so we may ignite the earth as a community. Prometheus advocates for human progression rather than what the gods want the humans to be. Nevertheless, Prometheus is more than just a hero, but a symbol of hope towards society. Prometheus had brought hope to help advance them their growth from their struggling state and help strive best for the future. To demonstrate, when Zeus take away the fire from earth, it had brought devastation the people as they couldn’t rely on themselves to survive.

In spite of this, Prometheus had shown them hope by offering them the fire. It had impacted them allowing them for the human race to progress throughout time. To put indifferently, this allowed humans to not confide with the gods but instead, slowly started to comprehend what they can do with the help of technological innovations as it is uprises. This had helped evolve the civilization on earth. Without Protheseus’s help, humanity wouldn’t have advanced through its art and survival spheres, leading for us to depend on others rather than looking within ourselves to find what we are really made up of. Ultimately, though Prometheus has helped people to acquire more knowledge and self-reliance, he also affected the community to find hope within us so we may find our aptitude in nature and ourselves when we are in need.