Prometheus the Monster

I found it most interesting the number of parallels between Prometheus and the monsters as presented in Cohen’s Monster Culture especially as I have never viewed Prometheus as monstrous. As Prometheus attempted to help humankind by presenting them with the gift of fire, I have always perceived this character as a hero who unfortunately was majorly reprimanded for helping humankind. However, as Byron’s poem exposes the various aspects of Prometheus’ punishment, the monstrosity of Prometheus is quickly noted. First, Prometheus is condemned to loneliness with his only company being a vulture, a rock, and a chain. He is neither human nor god; he is a Titan. He does not belong on Earth or in Heaven. He is abandoned to torture; he is on the outskirts of the accepted societal norms. While it is true that he is a Titan and thus technically belongs to this classification of immortals. Titans are usually perceived as the villains of Greek and Roman traditions. Thus, Prometheus’ act of kindness towards humanity also sets him apart from his Titan brethren. He cannot be truly classified as a Titan just as he cannot be classified as a human or a god. He defies classification and exists on the outskirts of society and the cultural tradition born of Roman-Greco origins. Furthermore, as his punishment is for the vulture to eat his liver each day and remain in a constant state of physical torture, Prometheus also takes on a grotesque and disfigured form much like the monsters of our cultural traditions. Taking on these aspects of his state of exile, his loneliness and distance from the accepted norms of culture, his inability to belong in a classified group, and his disfigured form Prometheus quickly becomes monstrous.  It is most interesting to note however that, besides his act of kindness which separates him from the other Titans, that his monstrosity is put upon him as punishment for acting against what was desired (especially what the gods desired). This emphasizes the notion that in fact monsters are not born, they are created by the populace. 

Monica

(posted by Dr. Renzi on her behalf)