Prometheus Bound

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Lore & Background

In Shelley's *Prometheus Unbound*, Prometheus is the central figure of a four-act lyrical drama first published in 1820. The play is inspired by the classical *Prometheia* trilogy attributed to Aeschylus, though only *Prometheus Bound* survives intact. Shelley's version departs from Aeschylus by refusing any reconciliation between Prometheus and Jupiter (Zeus). Instead, Jupiter is abandoned by his supportive elements and falls from power, which allows Prometheus to be released. The play is a closet drama, written for the imagination rather than the stage, though it contains dramatic effects that make it theoretically performable. Prometheus begins Act I bound to a rock face in the Indian Caucasus, surrounded by the Oceanides Panthea and Ione. He cries out against Jupiter's tyrannous kingship, claiming to be greater than Jupiter. He recalls a curse he once breathed on Jupiter and demands to hear it spoken again. The Earth, who admits to being the mother of all suffering under Jupiter's tyranny, advises him to call upon the Phantasm of Jupiter. When the phantasm speaks the curse, Prometheus repents, saying "I wish no living thing to suffer pain." Mercury then arrives with a group of Furies, offering Prometheus freedom if he reveals the secret of Jupiter's fate, but Prometheus refuses to submit.

In Their Own Story

The heat radiated from the rock where the Titan was chained, searing the air with every breath he drew. The shadow of the great eagle fell over him once more, talons gleaming against the dim light of Asphodel. Prometheus did not scream this time; he had long ago traded his cries for a grim defiance. When Zagreus approached, sword drawn to fight the beast again, the Titan's eyes met his with a weary gratitude. He knew this was not just another escape attempt, but the beginning of an ending.

Reader's Guide

In Shelley's *Prometheus Unbound*, the play is structured as a lyrical drama in four acts. Act I begins in the Indian Caucasus, where Prometheus is bound to a rock face and surrounded by the Oceanides Panthea and Ione. He cries out against Jupiter's tyranny and recalls a curse he once placed on the King of Gods. The Earth advises him to call upon the Phantasm of Jupiter to hear the curse spoken again. After hearing it, Prometheus repents, saying "I wish no living thing to suffer pain." Mercury then arrives with Furies, offering Prometheus freedom if he reveals the secret of Jupiter's fate, but Prometheus refuses. The act ends with the Furies taunting Prometheus, saying they attack people from within before attacking him without. The play was written between 1818 and 1819, with Shelley first mentioning progress in a letter to Thomas Love Peacock on 8 October 1818: "I have been writing – and indeed have just finished the first act of a lyrical and classical drama, to be called 'Prometheus Unbound.'" The majority of the play was completed by April 1819, though publication was delayed until 1820 due to various circumstances, including the deaths of Shelley's daughter Clara and son William, and a delay in transporting the manuscript to England.

Did You Know?

• Shelley's play is a closet drama, meaning it was not intended to be produced on the stage, but written for the imagination of readers.
• The play was inspired by the classical Prometheia, a trilogy of plays attributed to Aeschylus, though only Prometheus Bound is fully extant.
• Shelley began writing Prometheus Unbound in Italy, first mentioning progress in a letter to Thomas Love Peacock on 8 October 1818.
• The play's publication was delayed by the deaths of Shelley's daughter Clara Everina Shelley on 24 September 1818 and his son William Shelley on 7 June 1819.
• Shelley complained about printing errors in the first edition, sending a corrected errata list to the publisher on 20 January 1821.