Gods, Men & Monsters: Prometheus's Gift of Fire

Passage 1: "from Gods, Men & Monsters from the Greek Myths"

• This excerpt is from a classic Greek myth set on Mount Olympus, where Zeus reigns.
• The Titan Prometheus is a character in the myth, and he defies Zeus to help humanity
• Early humans lacked fundamental knowledge such as fire, which forced them to eat raw food and wear thick furs
• They could not craft storage containers or tools due to the lack of fire for hardening clay and working metals.
• Zeus intentionally kept humans in this primitive state as he feared their potential to challenge his power.
• Prometheus pitied mankind and believed they could advance beyond their current condition with help.
• Prometheus believed humans needed to learn how to make fire to progress.
• Zeus refused to grant humans the knowledge of fire because he thought they were content.
• Prometheus secretly traveled to Olympus, lit a torch, and hid burning charcoal in a fennel stalk.
• Prometheus shared the fire with humanity, allowing them to advance rapidly with new skills.
• Humans began creating pottery, ornaments, buildings, and metal weapons and tools.
• Zeus discovered the fire and realized Prometheus had disobeyed him.
• Zeus confronted Prometheus for giving fire to humans, fearing they would challenge the gods.
• Zeus punished Prometheus by chaining him to a rock in the mountains far to the east.

Passage 2: "from The Fire Thief"

• Passage 2 is a more modern version of the Prometheus myth with Zeus and Theus.
• The story opens in conversation between Zeus and Theus after humans have already been given fire.
• Zeus calls Theus rash and foolish for giving fire to humans.
• Theus acknowledges his actions and defends humans as clever creatures.
• Theus sees humans, gods, and Titans all as beings made from stardust and considers them cousins.
• Zeus is unhappy with the idea of humans being related to him.
• Theus defends his actions by explaining humans were left unfinished, without fur or feathers.
• Theus gave them fire to keep them warm.
• Zeus expresses his anger by creating a thundercloud and extinguishing the human's fires.
• Zeus declares that gods are the heroes and humans are vermin
• Prometheus believes humans can also be heroes.
• Zeus challenges Theus to find one human hero, claiming it's impossible.
• Theus asks for a chance to prove Zeus wrong.
• Zeus presents it as a challenge and an opportunity to relieve his boredom on Olympus.
• Zeus laughs, and humans below fear his laughter.

Comparison of Passages

• Both passages address a moment where gods or titans provide fire or the secret to using fire
• In Passage 1 Prometheus helps humanity advance rapidly with new skills. In Passage 2 Theus wants the humans to be more like the gods