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Prometheus (Goethe) Poem Analysis

"Prometheus" is a poem written by the German poet Johann Wolfgang von Goethe in 1774. The poem draws upon the myth of Prometheus, a Titan in Greek mythology who defied the gods by stealing fire from the heavens and giving it to humanity. As a result, Prometheus was eternally punished by Zeus, the king of the gods, who chained him to a rock where an eagle would eat his liver daily, only for it to regrow each night. Goethe's "Prometheus" explores themes of defiance, rebellion, and the power of human creativity in the face of adversity.

The poem reads as follows (in English translation):

Cover thy spacious heavens, Zeus,

With clouds of mist,

And, like the boy who lops

The thistles' heads,

Disport with oaks and mountain-peaks;

Yet thou must leave

My earth still standing;

My cottage, too, which was not raised by thee;

Leave me my hearth,

Whose kindly glow

By thee is envied.

I know nought poorer

Under the sun, than ye gods!

Ye nourish painfully,

With sacrifices

And votive prayers,

Your majesty;

Ye would e'en starve,

If children and beggars

Were not trusting fools.

While yet a child,

And ignorant of life,

I turned my wandering gaze

Up toward the sun, as if with him

There were an ear to hear my wailings,

A heart, like mine,

To feel compassion for distress.

Who helped me

Against the Titans' insolence?

Who rescued me from certain death,

From slavery?

Didst thou not do all this thyself,

My sacred glowing heart?

And glowedst, young and good,

Deceived with grateful thanks

To yonder slumbering one?

I honour thee, and why?

Hast thou e'er lightened the sorrows

Of the heavy laden?

Hast thou e'er dried up the tears

Of the anguish-stricken?

Was I not fashioned to be a man

By omnipotent Time,

And by eternal Destiny,

My masters, and thine?

Didst thou e'er fancy

That lifeless hatred wouldst thou,

A god, nurse in thy breast

Against that worm, as thou calls it,

What was reserved for the god,

The leaf doth crush, the ox doth rend,

Crush the worm!

In "Prometheus," Goethe presents a defiant and rebellious version of the Titan who stands up against Zeus and the gods. The poem is written in free verse, with no set rhyme scheme or meter, giving the poem a sense of urgency and raw emotion.

The poem begins with Prometheus addressing Zeus, challenging his authority by asserting that no matter what Zeus does, he cannot take away Prometheus's creations or his connection to humanity. Prometheus goes on to criticize the gods, claiming that they are poor and dependent on the sacrifices and prayers of humans for their sustenance.

Prometheus reflects on his own youth, when he looked to the gods for help and compassion, only to find that it was his own strength and creativity that saved him from the Titans and allowed him to shape humanity. He questions why he should honor the gods, who have done little to alleviate the suffering of mankind.

The poem concludes with a powerful image of defiance, as Prometheus invites Zeus to crush him like a worm, knowing that his spirit and his creations will endure.

"Prometheus" by Goethe explores themes of defiance, rebellion, and the power of human creativity. The poem presents a powerful critique of the gods and their indifference towards humanity, while celebrating the strength and resilience of the individual spirit. As a work of German Sturm und Drang literature, "Prometheus" reflects the movement's emphasis on emotion, individualism,