ENGLISH LITERATURE (CBSE/UGC NET)

Detailed explanation-1: -Prometheus Unbound is a four-act lyrical drama by Percy Bysshe Shelley, first published in 1820. It is concerned with the torments of the Greek mythological figure Prometheus, who defies the gods and gives fire to humanity, for which he is subjected to eternal punishment and suffering at the hands of Zeus.

Detailed explanation-2: -Shelley’s moral theme in Prometheus Unbound expresses humankind’s need to embrace love and forgiveness in the face of tyranny and evil in order to end evil’s self-propagating nature and its effects on the Page 4 SHELLEY’S ETERNAL TIME 79 individual and society.

Detailed explanation-3: -Prometheus Unbound is an example of an epic poem. Epic poetry borrowed themes from classical, Greek epics, such as The Iliad or The Odyssey by Homer, which focus on subjects like fate, heroism, conflict between mortals and deities, military combat, and journeys into other realms.

Detailed explanation-4: -Shelley wrote two lyrical dramas: Prometheus Unbound and Hellas. Both give fine expression to Shelley’s idea of the ideal world and his doctrine of Necessity. Shelley’s case also illustrates that the need for a full expression of the subjectivity of the author gives birth to unacted drama.