Io and the Gendering of Politics in Prometheus Bound

A talk by Professor Marianne Hopman, Associate Professor of Classics and Comparative Literary Studies at Northwestern.

The talk offers a new reading of the politics of Prometheus Bound through the lens of the oft-neglected Io scene. Hopman proposes that Prometheus’ encounter with the mad, part-cow maiden carries the potential for a radical re-evaluation of the power dynamics across Zeus, Prometheus, and humankind. Specifically, she argues that the transformation of Io’s relation with Zeus from victimization to gentle union highlights her procreative agency, questions the alleged contrast between Zeus’ violence and Prometheus’ disinterested benevolence toward humankind, and emphasizes the interdependence of all three characters in the cosmic order.

Sponsored by Department of Classical and Ancient Near Eastern Studies and Interdisciplinary Theatre Studies; funded by the University Lectures Committee.

Poster