Aeschylus is postulated to be the author of Prometheus Bound, written in the mid to late fifth century BCE. The story follows Zeus’ punishment of Prometheus, a Titan of old, for for bestowing the gifts of fire and civilization to humankind in spite of Zeus’ desire to destroy humans. For his actions, Prometheus is brought to Scythia, where he is chained eternally to a rock by Hephaestus’ impermeable chains. The scene quoted above depicts the encounter between Prometheus and his fellow Titan, Oceanus. Oceanus expresses his pity and sorrow for Prometheus and offers to plead to Zeus for his release. Prometheus responds humbly but says there is no use to challenge the tyrant, Zeus. He fears that if Oceanus were to questions Zeus, he too would
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In this scene Aeschylus uses the follow figures of speech to build relationship between his style and content: metaphor, personification, irony, hyperbole, oxymoron, synecdoche, repetition, metonymy, and understatement. In this specific passage, these stylistic devices give meaning to both the lines themselves and the meaning of the whole narrative. The personification of the waves and rivers not only creates imagery but also plays off of the role of the natural world in mythology. This said, the personification in this passage suggests that Aeschylus used them to connect the individual passage to the overarching themes present in the entire play. Some of these themes include the convergence of the natural and supernatural worlds, the tyranny of Zeus, and the struggle of mankind. Through literary devices, Aeschylus uses imagery to illustrate the relationship between the style and meaning.
The major themes of the play are evident through the figures of speech. In this passage and many throughout the rest of the work, Aeschylus stresses that Zeus is tyrannically ruling despite the fact that he is new to throne. He compares Prometheus to Zeus by addressing that Prometheus is an older god, a Titan. This power complex is illustrated through the metonymy and synecdoche of Prometheus and Zeus. Zeus is often referred to as a Tyrant,
In this scene Aeschylus uses the follow figures of speech to build relationship between his style and content: metaphor, personification, irony, hyperbole, oxymoron, synecdoche, repetition, metonymy, and understatement. In this specific passage, these stylistic devices give meaning to both the lines themselves and the meaning of the whole narrative. The personification of the waves and rivers not only creates imagery but also plays off of the role of the natural world in mythology. This said, the personification in this passage suggests that Aeschylus used them to connect the individual passage to the overarching themes present in the entire play. Some of these themes include the convergence of the natural and supernatural worlds, the tyranny of Zeus, and the struggle of mankind. Through literary devices, Aeschylus uses imagery to illustrate the relationship between the style and meaning.
The major themes of the play are evident through the figures of speech. In this passage and many throughout the rest of the work, Aeschylus stresses that Zeus is tyrannically ruling despite the fact that he is new to throne. He compares Prometheus to Zeus by addressing that Prometheus is an older god, a Titan. This power complex is illustrated through the metonymy and synecdoche of Prometheus and Zeus. Zeus is often referred to as a Tyrant,