Ambiguity and duplicity in Aeschylus’ “Prometheus Bound”

Abstract

This essay, an examination of Aeschylus’ “Prometheus Bound”, is an attempt to move away from the traditional approach to the play, which has tended to exalt the character of Prometheus as a benefactor of humanity, against the tyrannical power of Zeus. Starting from a close reading of vv. 204-236, with the support of a concordance to Aeschylus’ play, Alonge focuses his attention on the ambiguity and the duplicity of Prometheus, who offers to become a king-maker at Zeus’ service only because his brothers the Titans refused to recognize him as their leader.