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Prometheus, Part Two

Prometheus, Part Two

Last updated on: September 27, 2020 at 4:24 pm by Dan Harper

Prometheus, Part Two 2020-09-27T16:24:42+00:00 Dan Harper

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This is a continuation of an article posted last Friday, you can find that article by clicking here.

In the next installment of the Prometheus myth, Epimetheus points out that the newly-created human beings can’t defend themselves against the other animals. But don’t worry, Prometheus has a plan!

And just like last time –

Full script is below:

Epimetheus: Prometheus, the human beings are so weak and defenseless.

Prometheus: I have a plan. I’m going up to Mount Olympus, where Zeus and all the powerful gods and goddesses live.

Epimetheus: You’re going to ask Zeus for some more gifts for the human beings. Maybe some warm fur. Maybe Zeus could give them stingers and pincers, too!

Prometheus: If I did that, Zeus would say, Why did Epimetheus forget to give any gifts to the human beings? Then he would probably chain you to a rock and let an eagle peck at your belly.

Epimetheus: OK, let’s come up with a different plan.

Zeus: Look at all those creatures we made!

Athena: They all look so happy.

Poseidon: Porpoises and whales and fish swimming around.

[Crunching sound off screen.]

Zeus: Wow, did you see that?

Athena: An opossum just ate one of the human beings.

Poseidon: It looks like the humans have no way of protecting themselves.

[Door closing off screen.]

Hephaestus: Did you just hear something?

[Prometheus stealing fire in Hephaestus’s forge. Door creaking.]

Athena: That sounded like someone was sneaking around your forge.

[Door closing. Prometheus frozen in front of temple columns.]

Hephaestus: That sounded like someone sneaking around your workshop.

Poseidon: Oh, you guys are just imagining things.

[Prometheus frozen in front of temple columns.]

Zeus: It might be that troublemaker, Prometheus.

[Prometheus sneaks off stage.]

Athena: No, now I don’t hear anything.

Poseidon: Look at those jellyfish. I think jellyfish are the best creature any of us created.

Zeus: I think the creatures I created are the best.

Hephaestus: Of course, yours are the best of all, Zeus!

[Prometheus back on earth.]

Epimetheus: Took you long enough to get back.

Prometheus: I stole fire from Hephaestus, and I stole the arts of Athena.

Epimetheus: Dude, Zeus is going to be SO angry!

Prometheus: Well, I had to get SOMETHING to give to the humans so they wouldn’t all get killed off.

Epimetheus: It’s true, they do need help. Do you know that an opossum ate one of the humans for lunch?

Prometheus: Wow, that’s bad. I’d better give the humans some fire and wisdom right away.

Prometheus: Here you go, have some fire. No no no, you put it in a fireplace and cook things over it.

[Footage of Prometheus handing things out to humans.]

Epimetheus: Prometheus, you have a heart of gold. But Zeus is going to see this as an act of rebellion.

Prometheus: Well, a response of rebellion can be soteriologically authentic.

Epimetheus: Maybe so. But what if Zeus catches you?

Prometheus: Don’t worry. I have a plan.

Unitarian Universalism

About Dan Harper

Dan Harper, is the Assistant Minister of Religious Education at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Palo Alto, California (UUCPA). He writes: I live with my partner of more than twenty years, Carol Steinfeld, who is a writer specializing in ecological pollution prevention issues, particularly water and wastewater. Before I became a minister, I worked as sculptor’s apprentice, warehouse help, salesperson, carpenter, clerk in a health food store, and director of religious education. I sing regularly at Bay area Sacred Harp singings, and with the San Francisco Rockin’ Solidarity Labor Heritage Chorus. You can read more about the author here.

Previous Post

September 25, 2020

Prometheus, Part One

Next Post

October 11, 2020 The Mystic Pagan: Samhain

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