Channeling Endurance and Bravery in Parallel Circumstance

An Analysis of the myth “Prometheus and Io”

"Prometheus and Io" written by Aeschylus and Ovid is a myth which revolves in an
ill-fate encounter of personas to a rocky peak in Caucasus. The main characters are faced
with their respective consequence- Prometheus: for teaching humans make fire; while Io has
been tried enough by Zeus's jealous wife, Hera, for captivating the god's heart.
The story utilizes "flashbacking". Flashback is a literary device that takes the reader
from the present moment to an event from the past, just like how the narrative transitioned
from Prometheus and Io interaction to their back stories, especially about Io's. Flashbacks are
frequently abrupt interjections that add background knowledge and recollections to a tale or
character. It enables us to understand the reason why these characters met in the first place.
Io, a princess, and daughter of Inachus, is a mortal lover of Zeus. She made Hera, feel
hate- the exact opposite of what Zeus felt towards Io- love. While it is obvious that Hera's
jealousy is driving her to antagonize the main character, Zeus himself is as well an
antagonist. He had the will to capture love within Io that it took him to wrap himself and the
lady in thick clouds, unfortunately Hera knew about the odd occurrence, and this is where the
rising action is being situated. The sudden darkness is what hinted Hera of the circumstance,
and Zeus's irresponsible and clumsy desires has put the once-happy Io in despair and
misfortunes.
The plot continues with the intervention of more characters, including Argus. Argus
has multiple eyes that was tasked by Hera to keep watch on Io. The lady was helpless. It then
proceeded to an action where another character was introduced to counter Argus. He is
Hermes, the clever son of Zeus, who was sent to kill the watchman. He succeeded with his
motives; however, the turn of events was surprising. Hera was able to set tail with the
incident through a peacock, and Io remained inescapable. This is maximum point of the
conflict, apparently the climax.
Meanwhile, the falling action of this story is when Hera decided the lady's pernicious
destiny just to satisfy her anger towards her. She has placed Io in multiple trials. Io was
meant to wander nowhere- wild and horned until she reaches Nile, her last destination.
Another element that can be found in the story are the words “Ionian” and
“Bosphorus” which are metaphors of Io’s frenzy journey. These terms denoted her struggles
and will serve as a manifestation of Io's bold character. Nevertheless, the resolution of Io’s
tale is for her to be restored to a human figure. Moreover, Epaphus, her son from Zeus, is a
living proof that she has been seduced by a god with conflicting interests.
I believe that what happened between the characters, as well as the exchange of
thoughts in the Caucasus is only a passing reaction, where Io is a passerby, and both she and
Prometheus are strangers who had a glimpse of each other's background. But in the latter
days, they were linked through Heracles- Io's descendant who would eventually flee
Prometheus away from the dark domain.
The themes prevalent in the story includes endurance. This is apparent in Io's journey
towards the Nile River to return to human form. This idea also appears in Prometheus' meek
and silent suffering because of Zeus' punishment.
 It serves as a reminder to us that every action we take has a corresponding
consequence. So, we must pay the price for whatever results our decisions and actions bore.
Most importantly, this story has taught us that quitting should never be an option when faced
with seemingly helpless consequences.

Submitted by:
Enate, Girlie B.
Forones, Melody C.
-BSED-2A-