The Promethean Politics of Milton, Blake, and Shelley

Abstract

For more than two millennia, the myth of has fascinated writers and artists. Examining the political core of this myth as presented in the poetic tradition, this book traces Promethean figures and imagery in the major poetry of Milton, Blake and Shelley. Although the significance of the myth in Western literature has often been noted, this study recognizes an ambiguity in Promethean depictions that persists from Greek drama through the English Romantics. While is a benefactor, he also takes the role of sophist and trickster. Drawing primarily on Paradise Lost, this book shows how Milton's use of is significant not only because of his undisputed influence on the Romantics, but also because his Promethean figure reflects the myth in all of its facets, from the traitorous Satan and disobediant Adam to the Son in his salvational role. Blake's responses to Milton and to Dante are closely related to his recasting of the myth in his prophetic works while the book focuses on Shelley's work Prometheus Unbound to examine Shelley's Promethean politics.