Activity 6 Textual Analysis

Name: Dumanop, Veronica S.
Course and Year: BSED-2 ENGL

Textual Analysis of Prometheus and Io
For his courageous strength, Prometheus is most notable. Although the very Titan who
helped him come to power is harshly punished by Zeus, Prometheus never yields to the threats
of the god. Hamilton notes that his reputation remains intact, despite slight variations in the
Prometheus tale; he is a “rebel against injustice and the authority of power.”
In this way, the myths present an important aspect of the Greek conception of a hero:
the ability to suffer immense challenges. As we meet other heroes in later tales, other aspects of
a hero’s character will come out. With Prometheus, the story emphasizes his quiet resolve and
incredible strength. This humanizes the hero, making him humble and decent, as any reader of
the myth might want to be.
Mankind enjoys few or none of the external benefits enjoyed by animals, such as fur
coats or protective shells. Instead, humans have been given fire, representing human power
over energy. Human ingenuity is necessary to convert fire and energy to human purposes. Fire
is a heavenly gift, having come from the sun and from a god.
The reader discovers how earthly misery was born in the famous tale of Pandora's box.
It is interesting to note that like Eve in the Judeo-Christian tradition, women are blamed for all
human suffering. In connection with the Adam and Eve story, in which Eve is said to have
ruined the utopia where mankind once lived, scholars have pointed to this fact. Retribution, a
recurring theme in mythology, is quite notable in the story of Pandora. The Greek gods tend to
lash out harshly when they perceive wrong done to them, and the case of Pandora is no
exception. She was sent to earth so that her curiosity would drive her to open the box.
The Pandora story also underscores Zeus’s crafty nature. From Pandora’s box, mortals
and gods alike understand the power of the god and fear his authority—at the same time, by
leaving the fault in Pandora’s lap, he avoids direct responsibility for the evils in the world.
Interestingly, hope came out of the box, too. Does that mean that hope could be a
misfortune as well? Perhaps, if hope represents a clinging to that which is untrue and does not
exist. Or perhaps, if hope is not a misfortune, hope represents the kindness in Zeus’s heart, in
that he grants mankind the ability to aspire and improve despite the evils released from the box.
The myth of Prometheus and Io shows how the enduring spirit of Prometheus is
refigured in the suffering Io. By telling the prophecy to Io, Prometheus gives her hope that will
help her stay strong in the hard times ahead. The story that Io tells Prometheus reveals much
about the relationship between Zeus and Hera. In this sense, Io is a counter-example versus
many of the weak, naïve, or innocent female characters throughout mythology.
Textual Analysis of Europa
The story of Europa depicts Zeus in desperate desire of a mortal maiden. Hamilton
notes that it is unclear why Hera never opposes this relationship. The myth leaves this issue for
the reader to interpret.
This story also provides a good example of a human who trusts the gods. Although she
is frightened to ride on a bull across the ocean, Europa trusts Zeus when he says he loves her
and will not do her harm. Note that this is one of many myths in which a god appears to a
human in animal or human form. In such cases it is clear that the divine nature is not lost,
though the god picks up, for a time, some of the qualities of the animal.
Likewise, note that Zeus is distinguished here with a specific put on earth, the island of
Crete. The divine beings are not generally wherever consistently as in some strict customs; they
will in general be in some spot like human creatures are, despite the fact that they likewise can
act a ways off when important.
The theme of reciprocity arises throughout Greek mythology, and in Europa’s trusting
nature, it is evident. Only good things come to her when she trusts Zeus: she bears children and
lives a happy life on Crete. The question then arises whether it is better to give in to the gods
against one’s wishes or to suffer the consequences of fighting for what one wants. The question
is complicated because of the varying kinds of punishments that are meted out against the
unfaithful, sometimes very severe.
The tale of Odysseus and the Cyclops is one of the most classic stories of the Greek
tradition. It is told in Homer’s Odyssey, which details Odysseus’s various adventures while
journeying home from war. This story shows the heroism and craftiness of Odysseus. Although
Odysseus also is very strong, the story demonstrates the advantage of clever thinking in
addition to brute strength.
The story of Polyphemus also reveals important aspects of Greek heroism: leadership
and courage under pressure. None of Odysseus’s men has the sense to plot an escape from
the cave; only their leader creates the plan and engages in the main execution.

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Name: Dumanop, Veronica S.

Course and Year: BSED-2 ENGL

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