Topic > The suffering of hope: Prometheus and Io compared can make me die,” says Prometheus after suffering gives him hope of resisting Zeus (Aeschylus 83). In Prometheus Bound, Aeschylus portrays the effects of suffering on a person's hope through the two characters of Prometheus and Io. The divergent reactions of these characters challenge us to decide whether a positive or negative reaction to extreme suffering is the wisest choice. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essay Prometheus suffers dramatically, both physically and mentally, as he is punished by Zeus, a tyrant, for his love and kindness towards humans. Because Prometheus disobeyed the law of Zeus, he is forced to suffer physical pain while he is "chained here, nailed to this cliff above a deep ravine, where [he] remains" (Aeschylus 54). Prometheus writhes in pain, but cannot move, which represents his physical suffering. He also suffers mentally, as he is unable to put his gift of foresight to good use, being tied to a cliff. His sufferings cause much pain, yet Prometheus continues to struggle under the wrath of Zeus, showing his determination not to submit to Zeus. Furthermore, Prometheus' suffering affects his hope by giving him more feeling and optimism than before because he realizes that the longer he will resist Zeus and weather the storm, without telling Zeus the secret of who will take his throne's place, before Zeus it will. fall from power. With a more faithful attitude, he says he "sees the day approaching when [Zeus's] mind will soften, once that secret [he] described has brought him to collapse" (55). Prometheus' belief that Zeus' mind will eventually soften shows that he gains more hope because he now believes that Zeus will eventually let him go, whereas in the past he did not. Although Prometheus is suffering, this leads him to be more optimistic and not submit to Zeus. This shows that suffering has a significant effect on Prometheus' hope because his misery helps him realize that if he remains hopeful, Zeus will collapse and he can eventually be free. The story of Prometheus provides a lesson to the common man that sometimes suffering can be useful, as it helps people learn and can lead to a positive consequence, as in the case of Prometheus, more hope. Meanwhile, another character is tormented. Io is also forced to suffer, only this time under Hera's wrath; however, Io begins to lose hope because she cannot bear the pain she is going through. Zeus' lust for Io causes her to suffer, as Hera transforms Io into a cow. When explaining her story to Prometheus, Io says, "[Hera] is oppressing her... sending a fearful biting fly after a defenseless girl..." (67). Io has done nothing wrong, but must suffer involuntarily, as she is continually stung by a horsefly and is forced to wander along paths that never end. This illustrates the significant amount of pain he must endure. Furthermore, Io begins to doubt his hope for liberation. She does not want to continue to be tormented in the future, as Prometheus told her he would, and she can no longer bear the pain she feels now as she says, "I would rather die once and for all than suffer such afflictions every day." day" (72-73). Io makes this statement as if he had given up on life. Instead of fighting the pain, Io would rather die because she no longer believes that her physical body and mind will be free. Furthermore,.
tags