PROMETHEUS THE FIREGIVER A Mask in the Greek Manner PREVIOUS EDITIONS 1. Private Press of H. Daniel. Oxford, 1883. 3. Clarendon Press. Smith, Elder & Co. Vol. I, 1898. B ARGUMENT Prometheus coming on earth to give fire to men appears before the palace of Inachus in Argos on a festival of Zeus. He interrupts the ceremony by announcing fire and persuades Inachus to dare the anger of Zeus and accept the gift. Inachus fetching Argeia his wife from the palace has in turn to quiet her fears. He asks a prophecy of Prometheus who foretells the fate of Io their daughter. Prometheus then setting flame to the altar and writing his own name thereon in the place of Zeus disappears. The Chorus sing (1) a Hymn to Zeus with the stories of the birth of Zeus and the marriage of Hera with the dances of the Curetes and the Hesperides, (2) their anticipation of fire with an Ode on Wonder, (3) a Tragic Hymn on the lot of man, (4) a Fire-chorus, (5) a final Chorus in praise of Prometheus. All the characters are good. Prometheus prologizes. He carries a long reed. DRAMATIS PERSONÆ PROMETHEUS. INACHUS. ARGEIA. SERVANT. IO (persona muta). CHORUS: Youths and maidens of the house of The SCENE is in ARGOS before the palace of Inachus. An altar inscribed to Zeus is at the centre of the stage. |