1. Prometheus
The Fire-Bringer

2. Terms to know
Four stage pattern of attitudes and behavior typical of Greek myths:
Areté: excellence (renowned leadership, unusual cleverness, tremendous strength, great skill in battle)
Hubris: excessive pride that comes from one’s areté
Atë: blind recklessness; overstepping boundaries and committing rash acts
Nemesis: a form of retribution that results in personal tragedy; just punishment for those who succumb to atë.
**Both Prometheus and Zeus go through this pattern in the myth. **

3. Example
Areté: John has always had a high metabolism. Hubris: John thinks he can eat anything without worrying about gaining weight. Atë: John eats an entire bag of Double- Stuffed Oreos every day for three months. Nemesis: John, much to his surprise but no one else’s, packs on 15 lbs and has to spend his monthly Oreo allotment on larger clothes.

4. Example:
Areté: Julie is the MVP on her high school basketball team. She averages 20 points per game.
Hubris: Julie feels she is far better than her teammates, and only she can lead the team to victory.
Atë: Julie begins to refuse to pass the ball to her teammates, even when she is surrounded by players from the other team.
Nemesis: Julie soon leads the team in turn overs, and she loses her chances at receiving an athletic scholarship to UW-Madison.

5. In groups of 2-3 (10 minutes)
Come up with a real-world example of the four stage pattern. Be original.

6. Prometheus Name means “forethought”– How is it ironic?
Story of how mankind acquired fire and essential skills to survive
Prometheus, a Titan, sacrificed himself in order to benefit mankind
How does he follow the four-stage pattern?