AIM: How does the myth of “Prometheus and Pandora” represent the ultimate view and power of humanism over oligarchism? DO NOW: Do you think evil can defeat the true / real power of good? If so, how? Evil can defeat the good by corrupting it to become a tool for evil (willingly or not; voluntarily or not).

Note that Prometheus, Athena and Hephaestus are emphasized as creative and this is why Prometheus seeks out Athena and Hephaestus for help. Creativity is the prime characteristic of humanity and those who deny this in man (such as the oligarch Zeus) are anti-human.

In the context of “differences” given to the various creatures, the main idea is that humans are inferior in most qualities other animals possess for survival, yet it is the mind which enables man to be superior. Creativity is exclusively human and the defining characteristic of human beings.

On the bottom of page 104 (on the handout), Prometheus is described as loving humans and resolved to do whatever necessary to ensure their survival. This defines acting for the “greater good of humanity” and demonstrates Prometheus to be committed to the good.

On the top of page 105, Athena and Hephaestus risk their safety to “help their fellow creator”. This action characterizes morality as sacrificing oneself to do what is moral, akin to JFK, MLK, Sun Yat Sen, Rabin, Christ, Socrates, Joan of Arc… throughout history.

Prometheus’ gift of fire to the humans = fire can represent the gift of knowledge (illumination and sight [with the mind as well as the eyes], direction, warmth and comfort, and development. Fire is the most integral element for development of more efficient existence within a society (true progress). Note Prometheus as “the teacher” of humans = their protector.

On the bottom of page 105, Prometheus tricks Zeus (the force of evil vs. humanity and creativity) to protect humans and give them enough wealth to survive and develop. Zeus’ greed actually enables him to deceive himself. Note Prometheus takes on the greatest source of evil to protect humanity (moral courage).

Zeus spitefully forbids fire for the humans. Knowing that fire in all its forms is essential for survival. Akin to the slave- masters who forbade their slaves to be educated, knowing this would lead to empowerment and possible insurrection by them, Zeus reduces humans to slaves / pets and mocks Prometheus through this action.

Prometheus will not stop acting for the good and therefore ‘steals’ fire and gives it to humans again. He is morally courageous and heroic, and will not stop fighting for the good, regardless of the danger to himself.

Despite being punished for what he believes to be an eternity, Prometheus does not acquiesce, either to tell Zeus his fate or to refuse to assist humans. Note that Hephaestus becomes a force of evil, despite his appreciation of the good, by choosing to help evil over good, fearing the illegitimate power evil wields. If Hephaestus had simply said “no” to Zeus, Zeus would have been powerless.

Note that Hermes (son of Zeus) tries to terrify Prometheus (root and real meaning of the term ‘terrorism’) by articulating in detail the terrors that Prometheus will face if he does not reveal Zeus’ future to him. Prometheus merely states that if Zeus unchains me and listens to me (does the good), he can avoid his destruction. The metaphor for humanity is to do the good (be universally lawful) to avoid being destroyed (nemesis), since the universe is moral and we are a part of this moral universe.

Zeus demands to know his fate = “like father, like son III”. The fates represent universal law and even Zeus cannot control the universe as he wishes. Even as Prometheus hears and begins to be subjected to the most horrible fate, he will not relent in his morality, therefore he has won by moral example and inspiration to others (by being truly human, hence beautiful for all time).

In the brief myth of “Pandora”, Zeus’ true evil psychotic nature is demonstrated. Not satisfied with punishing Prometheus, he permanently disables humans by creating Pandora to deceive Epimetheus and release evil into the world (opening ‘Pandora’s box’). Epimetheus is moral, but lacks the wisdom to prevent himself from being deceived, hence used as a tool for evil.

The methods of the oligarchs are also typified here. Note that Epimetheus and Pandora are both ‘profiled’ by Zeus, yet neither is aware they are being manipulated for evil. Epimetheus is merely attracted to an extremely beautiful woman whom Zeus slyly commissions to be created for him, and Pandora is not even aware of her “flaw” of insatiable curiosity, which causes her to open the ‘jar’ and release the evils into the world.

Note that at the conclusion of “Pandora”, as all of the evils are released into the world (Pandora is made to seem overtly responsible, but Zeus is the real culprit), hope remains at the bottom of the jar. While disease, crime, war…suppress hope, it nevertheless will always exist (in our ability to be beautiful and moral), as a result of the actions of those like Prometheus who fight for us and who we can and must become, so that human nature will never be destroyed.

In reflection, this myth shows us that three qualities are necessary for true immortal action in the universe (to be truly human). These are creativity (primary human identity), wisdom (to avoid being deceived by evil) and moral courage (to resist and stand up to evil). Prometheus exemplifies all three, while Epimetheus lacks wisdom and Hephaestus lacks moral courage. Zeus and his sycophant Hermes lack all three.