Prometheus Bound: Anxiety of Authority

The opening scene of Aeschylus' Prometheus Bound is one of the most significant scenes in the play as a result of Aeschylus' presentation of Hephaestus.

Hephaestus enters the scene along with the physical embodiment of Power and Force, who are all acting on the orders of Zeus, to enact Prometheus' punishment and therefore tie Prometheus to a cliff-face. Power sets the scene telling the audience of their orders which is specifically placed in contrast to the description of the "wasteland" (3) they are presently at. The bleak and bland descriptions of nature contrasts to Prometheus' horrific and repetitive punishment. In fact, it could be interpreted that the bland descriptions of nature reflect the unchanging landscape and therefore the unchanging punishment of Prometheus.

Additionally, Hephaestus comments, "I lack the hardness...to put a god who is my kin forcibly in bonds", (12-14) evokes two issues. First, Hephaestus' choice of word "hardness" (12) suggests and highlights Hephaestus' anxiety surrounding his masculinity. Significantly, a goddess is not sent to carry out Zeus' specific orders of these punishment, and both Power and Force are characterized as presumably masculine, although this is not made explicitly clear. This masculine anxiety is highlighted by the connotations of "hardness" (12), suggesting a complete lack of emotions, something that is identified with male individuals, specifically in this play.

Secondly, Hephaestus' decision to voice this statement of regret and uncertainty demonstrates his at least verbal disobedience of going against and not agreeing with Zeus' orders. Almost as soon as Hephaestus voices this opinion he comments "yet it is absolutely necessary for me to be this hard, because it is a heavy matter to disregard the word of father Zeus" (15-16). Therefore, it could be interpreted that Hephaestus recognizes this verbal disobedience and in order to make up for it, has to verbally state Zeus' presence and therefore authority in the world, is above Hephaestus' disobedience and disagreement.

Consequently, Hephaestus' opening scene is significant in its unique depiction of a god's anxious authority and disagreement of the all-power Zeus.

Works Cited

Aeschylus. 'Prometheus Bound'. In Persians and Other Plays. Trans, Christopher Collard. (2008) Oxford World's Classics. Print.