January 13 - Prometheus

PROMETHEUS: Oh, it is easy for the one who stands outside the prison-wall of pain to exhort and teach the one who suffers

~ Aeschylus Prometheus Bound

Prometheus (Forethought) is one of the immortal Titans in Greek mythology, and brother to Epimethius (Afterthought).  He is credited with giving fire to mankind, and in doing so - defying the gods.  Zeus, the king of the Olympian gods, had him chained to a rock and sent an eagle to feed upon his ever regenerating liver.

It strikes me that Prometheus must have had the forethought to know he would be punished for this transgression, and accepted it for the greater good of mankind.  It's with fire that man was able to cook meat and survive in harsher environments, free then from the shackles and oftentimes fickle will of the gods - enabling progress and civilization to flourish.

This story seems somewhat about parental control.  At some point a child will become an adult, with his or her own free will, no longer a subject to yours.  Don't cast them out, instead admire and encourage their newfound independence.  You made them strong enough to be able to do just that.

Originally I was going to have a bit of liver cut out of the belly in the balloon, but it looked awkward and out of place.  Most of the images of Prometheus are either naked or have a billowing bit of cloth that conveniently flows precisely over the male bits, I decided to give him a loincloth - but now I can't unsee Tarzan.  Especially because of the way I tried to make the wet/bedraggled hair.  Ah well, next time maybe I'll use a little forethought.  :) :) :)