Rebellion, as a course of action, is not advised when the one being rebelled against is the king of the gods. Submission to the god’s authority brings peace if only a dissatisfied one. However, the dissatisfaction of obeying can sometimes be strong enough to instigate disobedience as in Aeschylus’ Greek play Prometheus Bound. The play’s main character, Prometheus, decides to disobey Zeus’ unspoken command to not help mortals survive when Zeus plans their extinction. Prometheus pities humans enough to save them, though, and does so by stealing Hephaestus’ fire and gifting fire to mortals. This act rescues the entire race for which Prometheus is punished. Chained to a cliff, Prometheus is unrepentant for disobeying Zeus, whose anger towards Prometheus’ disobedience is spoken of many times. However, the reason for his anger arises not only from his plan being derailed but also from the threat he feels to his position and newly claimed authority as king of the gods which is seen in the harshness of Prometheus’ punishment.
To prove his authority, Zeus punishes Prometheus harshly. While taking Prometheus to the cliff, Hephaestus is speaking to Prometheus describing his impending punishment as the result of not “fear[ing] the gods’ wrath” (186.29). This nonchalance towards Zeus’ authority is stated as the reason “that [he] will stand guard on this grim rock, / sleepless, unable to sit or bend your knee” (186.31-34). Prometheus’ lack of fear towards Zeus’ commands evokes the harshness of the punishment he must forbear. His disregard for Zeus’ authority is also spoken of by Power who accompanies Prometheus and Hephaestus to the cliff. When describing Prometheus’ crime, Power stresses that “he (Prometheus) must pay compensation to the gods” which will teach Prometheus to “love the rule of Zeus” (185.10). Through this punishment, Prometheus is expected to acknowledge Zeus’ authority. As king of the gods, Zeus seeks to display the overarching command he wields through his severe punishment of Prometheus.
The newness of Zeus’ reign is also a reason he attempts to assert authority through Prometheus' harsh punishment. As Hephaestus speaks of Prometheus’ punishment, he explains Prometheus’ punishment is severe because “harsh is the ruler when rule is new-begun” (186.35) The newness of Zeus’ rule influences the judgment’s harshness as he seeks to establish authority early in his rule. Another instance which mentions Zeus’ recent ascension to the throne is when Prometheus states, “Newly seated on his father’s throne, / he set out to divide up spoils and put / his reign in order” (191-192.230-232). Zeus’ first mission as a ruler was to take command of his domain which Prometheus then explains gives Zeus “an illness [which] somehow sickens all usurpers: / the inability to trust their friends” (191.6-7). Zeus’ taking over the command as king of the gods gave him an insecurity in regard to his newly formed position. Thus, the reason for Zeus’ harsh punishment is a desire to secure authority over his fellow gods and goddesses. He seeks to gain absolute authority by delivering harsher punishments to ensure his reign will remain unopposed.
Another way Zeus seeks to assert authority is displayed by his controlling how gods and goddesses use their abilities. While Hephaestus wields fire, Zeus still commands the use of it. Prometheus saved the human race through stealing Hephaestus’ “glory—all-crafting fire— / and gave it to mortals” which ruined Zeus’ plan (185.7-8). The way fire is used to save mortals goes against Zeus’ desires not Hephaestus’ for he is the wielder not the commander of fire exhibiting the authority Zeus has in this situation over Hephaestus’ fire. Zeus’ authority is also made evident by his ordering Hephaestus to use his fire to create the chains for Prometheus which causes him to “wish some other had [his] calling” (186.45). However, reluctant Hephaestus still submits to Zeus in the way his fire is used. Prometheus’ punishment being carried out by Hephaestus is also a way Zeus displays his authority. During the trek to the cliff, Power claims, “No one except for Zeus is truly free” (186.50). Zeus dictates how others’ abilities are used but he does not have anyone dictate how he uses his own. Hephaestus acknowledges the truth of Power’s statement saying, “I can’t deny it; these things (chains) give me proof” (186.51). Hephaestus recognizes the authority Zeus possesses over their abilities, and that, through commanding Hephaestus to create the chains, Zeus asserts his authority over the gods by controlling their abilities
Prometheus refuses to submit to Zeus’ authority, threatening the authority he rules with. Without his authority, he would be a king in title only, devoid of the ability to command others under his reign. To uphold his position, Zeus chooses a punishment to instill fear in Prometheus. Ordering Hephaestus to enact the punishment proves his authority over every facet over the lives of gods and goddesses. While Zeus’ rule can be tyrannical, he ensures that he is undisputedly king of the gods, and anyone who opposes him should, like Prometheus, be prepared to hang out on their edge of rebellion.
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