People have always fallen victim to tyranny. Furthermore, people have always reacted to oppression differently. Examples are Hitler's Nazi empire or the Soviet Union under Stalin. In Prometheus Bound, Aeschylus presents a mythological portrayal of tyranny and how others react to it. In the play, Zeus overthrows his father, Kronos, and persecutes the other titans. Zeus exemplifies characteristics of a tyrant, while the titans represent the oppressed. Aeschylus develops these characters and makes them symbolic of stereotypical human reactions to tyranny. Hephaestus symbolizes unwilling submission; Io represents irrational hysteria, and Prometheus depicts ideal strength and honor.
Prometheus Bound is simply a mirror of our own lives. The author personifies typical human traits in the titans. He tests these traits against tyranny and discusses the reaction through characterization. Hephaestus is weak and obedient, yet a moral man. Io is irrational and fearful, and to a point unstable. Prometheus is strong and bold. He is a leader that represents the ideal human trait.
Io is a unique character that shares many traits with her human counterparts. She thinks irrationally and is often confused. Examples are when she says strange things such as "where have I come?" and "oh horror! (p. 39)" Unlike Prometheus, Io lacks any courage to stand up to tyranny and rather runs in fear of it. She appears to be in the process of los
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