H1057_s09

H1057 The Myths That Inhabit Us

Session 09. He in Secret Stole your Pride and Joy

Dr. Víctor Miguel Gutiérrez Pérez

Image: Gregorio Martínez, Tityos Bound, 1590-1596

Contents

Promethean Myths

Characteristics of the Promethean Myth

Bibliography

Activity

Prometheus as a Symbol

Promethean Myths

Prometheus myth is recognized as essential to understand human nature. The basis of the Prometheus myth consists of the desire of Zeus to deprive humans of fire. Fire represents the most important tool in the struggle for the survival of the species.

Prometheus as a Symbol

Prometheus personifies the rebellion against despotic power, the revolution of the spirit against the coercive norm, the self-affirmation of man against a tyrannical god. Throughout history, this mythical character has taken on different cultural resonances until it has come to be considered a hero of progress.

Characteristics of the Promethean Myth

These are the main characteristics of the Promethean myth:

• Rebellious action as the founding act of human nature
• Inadaptation to the disposed
• The fall of humanity in time → agonizing living.
• What is stolen is not recovered, but a new condition arises in the life of the human being.
• Knowledge gives practical meaning to action→rationalization.
• Practical action fights against the immoderation and hostility of the habitat.
• For Plato, human action must be carried out on the communal forms of life.

1. Read the following texts.2. Compare the three versions, how are they different?3. Prepare a concept map in which you develop the characteristics of each version of the myth. Try to answer: why is Prometheus important?

Activity

Pages 19-23

50 min.

Pages 2-14

Pages 18-21

Bibliography

Lafuerza del Cerro, J. A. (1998). Acerca de los mitos prometeico y fáustico en la tradición cultural de occidente. Scriptura (14), 49-64.

Vernant J-P. (1992) Los orígenes del pensamiento griego. Madrid: Paidós.

Learn more

Prometheus Bound

The Myth of Prometheus