Debate
Zeus and Prometheus
What does Fire represent in the Zeus and Prometheus debate?
Knowledge
According to Zeus, what will humans think about themselves if they get fire?
They will see themselves as powerful and think of themselves as Gods.
One morning he came to Zeus, and said, “O Thunderer, I do not understand your design. You have caused the race of man to appear on earth, but you keep him in ignorance and darkness.”
What are Zeus and Prometheus debating about in these paragraphs?
“Perhaps you had better leave the race of man to me,” said Zeus. “What you call ignorance is innocence. What you call darkness is the shadow of my decree. Man is happy now. And he is so framed that he will remain happy unless someone persuades him that he is unhappy. Let us not speak of this again.”
Are Humans ignorant?
"Humans are in darkness without fire," what would happen if humans had fire?
Humans with fire use torches to light their way at night.
What is the debate between Zeus and Prometheus about?
Prometheus wanting to give the humans fire.
Prometheus says that man...
"...crouches in caves" (4).
If humans have fire, they can
Come out of the caves
Who thinks that fire would make humans more interesting?
Prometheus
What are Zeus and Prometheus discussing in these paragraphs?
Zeus answered, “Do you not know, Prometheus, that every gift brings a penalty? This is the way the Fates weave destiny—by which gods also must abide. Man does not have fire, true, nor the crafts which fire teaches. On the other hand, he does not know disease, warfare, old age, or that inward pest called worry. He is happy, I say, happy without fire. And so he shall remain.”
“Happy as beasts are happy,” said Prometheus. “Of what use to make a separate race called man and endow him with little fur, some wit, and a curious charm of unpredictability? If he must live like this, why separate him from the beasts at all?"
Are humans Happy?
They would learn to make tools.
Who started the debate between Zeus and Prometheus?
Prometheus says that man...
“...is at the mercy of beast and weather” (4).
If humans have fire, they can
Who thinks that fire would make humans “infinitely more dangerous”
Zeus
What are Zeus and Prometheus discussing in these two paragraphs?
“Would not fire, and the graces he can put on with fire, make him more interesting?”
“More interesting, perhaps, but infinitely more dangerous. For there is this in man too: a vaunting pride that needs little sustenance to make it swell to giant size. Improve his lot, and he will forget that which makes him pleasing—his sense of worship, his humility. He will grow big and poisoned with pride and fancy himself a god, and before we know it, we shall see him storming Olympus. Enough, Prometheus! I have been patient with you, but do not try me too far. Go now and trouble me no more with your speculations.”
Are humans interesting?
According to Zeus, "Humans are happy without fire." what would humans do if they were given fire?
Humans with fire would start wars.
How can you tell that Zeus and Prometheus are having a debate?
They each take turns to present their sides and respond to what the other person has said.
Prometheus says that man...
“...eats his meat raw” (4).
If humans have fire, they can
cook their meat and stop eating it raw.
Think like Prometheus: In your own words, list one reason that fire might make humans more interesting.
They will be able to protect themselves from the beasts.
They will be able to cook their food.
They will be able to keep themselves warm
Think like Zeus: In your own words, list one reason that fire might make humans more dangerous.
They will think of themselves as gods.
They will start wars
They will revolt against the gods
"Humans without fire are like animals," what would happen to humans if they had fire?