Bound Prometheus serves as a radiant allegory in the theme. However, while the symbolism employed by Aeschylus is quite ubiquitous, and while some scholars argue that the fundamental issues of Aeschylus' work lie both in Prometheus' services to humanity and in Io's wanderings and future progeny, it is in the relationship between Prometheus and Zeus who manifests the most important concepts. It is through the interaction between the so-called "master of the universe" and the man-loving "superhuman" that striking themes such as individuality, justice and moderation (or lack thereof) can be well illustrated. (62) Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay The struggle between individuality and conformity has been used predominantly in literature. Examples include Aldous Huxley's Brave New World and Mark Twain's The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, in which the protagonist is forced to decide between what his conscience deems right and what the masses deem acceptable. The Book of Job provides a biblical example in which this same theme is introduced into the relationship between the unfortunate Job and his Comforters. Aeschylus's Prometheus Bound constitutes yet another example in which the battle between individuality and orthodoxy, evident in the conflict between Prometheus and Zeus, is introduced as one of the central issues of the play. When Zeus "ascended the throne that was his father's," he intended to "obliterate the [unhappy race of mankind]." (74) "Against these plans no one opposed except [Prometheus]: he dared. He saved men from the devastating destruction that would bring them to the house of Hades", although fully aware of the problems that his actions would inevitably result from. (74, 75) In doing so, "sinning against the immortals", that is, going against the status quo, "giving honor, [instead], to the creatures of the day", he is condemned to torture on a rock base, "a bitterness to suffer and a pain in the pitiful eyes." (100, 74) The fact that Prometheus selflessly "gave mortal man precedence over [himself] out of pity" is, in fact, admirable, and may even suggest that he is a symbol of Jesus Christ. However, the protagonist is flawed in his excessively "vain tongue" and "bravery of heart". (72, 77) Thus Aeschylus also introduces the theme of immoderateness as the cause of his own death. Prometheus, rejecting the other immortals' warnings to "bring [his] proud heart to know true discretion in the face of ruin", stubbornly refuses to give in to Zeus' commands. (103, 104) His fortitude is commendable, but his excessive arrogance is not and it is this "stubbornness that has brought him to this calamitous stubborn anchorage." (101) Prometheus is not, however, the only victim of excess. It is prophesied that Zeus, due to his hedonistic activities, "will make a marriage that he will one day regret? A marriage that will remove him from his power and throne, out of sight of all." (93, 99) The ancient Greeks believed in the importance of moderation, reason, and order. By creating a scenario in which a violation of these principles would lead to someone's downfall, Aeschylus reveals the logic behind the Greeks' faith. As in the Book of Job, the justice of the higher power, Zeus, is questioned in Prometheus Bound. The main god is characterized as an oppressive dictator, who is "so hard-hearted that he finds joy" in the torture of Prometheus, and is similarly indifferent to the torment of Io, who suffers only because of Zeus's lustful desires. (71, 86-87) Selfish tyrant, Zeus has brought "what was great before" his reign to "nothingness", so as not to be threatened by the possibility of an overthrow. (71) I.