Prometheus Bound (Thoreau Translation)

The authorship of Prometheus Bound may be debated, but its message resonates powerfully as a testament to the spirit of free humanity challenging the often indifferent forces that govern our universe. This work stands as one of the most compelling manifestos of rebellion ever penned, captivating not just scholars of Greek drama but also a diverse range of translators since the early 19th century. Notable figures like Percy Bysshe Shelley, Elizabeth Barrett Browning, and activist-poet Augusta Webster have all sought to capture its essence in English. The rendition featured here is by Henry David Thoreau, who famously suggested in Walden that one should experience Aeschylus in the tranquil light of dawn. Thoreau first published this translation in the 1843 issue of The Dial, at the age of 26. Summary by Expatriate.