“Let him throw his two-forked lightning bolts on my head… let him cause the crashing waves of the sea to mingle with the paths of the celestial stars… he cannot put me to death,” says Prometheus after his suffering gives him hope of resisting Zeus (Aeschylus 83). In Prometheus Bound, Aeschylus depicts the effects of suffering on a person's hope through the two characters of Prometheus and Io. The divergent reactions of these characters challenge us to decide whether a positive or negative reaction to extreme suffering is the wisest choice. Say no to plagiarism. Get a Custom Essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get Original Essay Prometheus suffers dramatically, both physically and mentally, as he is punished by Zeus, a tyrant, for his love and kindness towards humans. Since Prometheus disobeyed Zeus's law, he is forced to suffer physical pain as he is "chained here, nailed to this cliff above a deep ravine, where [he] remains" (Aeschylus 54). Prometheus writhes in pain, but he cannot move, representing his physical suffering. He also suffers mentally, as he is unable to use his gift of foresight, being bound to a cliff. His suffering causes much pain, but Prometheus continues to struggle under Zeus's wrath, showing his determination not to submit to Zeus. Furthermore, Prometheus' suffering affects his hope by giving him more feeling and optimism than before, because he realizes that the more he will resist Zeus and weather the storm, without revealing to Zeus the secret of who will take his throne, the sooner Zeus will. fall from power. With a more faithful attitude, he says that he "sees approaching the day when [Zeus's] spirit will soften, once this secret [he] has described has led to his collapse" (55). Prometheus's belief that Zeus's mind will eventually soften demonstrates that he is gaining more hope because now he believes that sooner or later Zeus will let him go, whereas in the past he did not. Although Prometheus suffers, it pushes him to be more optimistic and not submit to Zeus. This shows that suffering has a significant effect on Prometheus's hope, as his misery helps him realize that if he remains hopeful, Zeus will collapse and he can ultimately be free. The story of Prometheus teaches a lesson to the common man: sometimes suffering can be useful because it helps people learn and can lead to a positive consequence, as in the case of Prometheus, more hope. Meanwhile, another character is tormented. Io is also forced to suffer, but this time under Hera's anger; however, Io begins to lose hope as she cannot bear the pain she is going through. Zeus's lust for Io puts her in misery, while Hera turns Io into a cow. In explaining her story to Prometheus, Io says, “[Hera] oppresses him…she sends a terrible biting fly to chase away a defenseless girl…” (67). Io has done nothing wrong, but must suffer involuntarily, as she is continually stung by a gadfly and is forced to travel paths that never end. This illustrates the significant amount of pain she has to endure. Furthermore, Io begins to doubt her hope of deliverance. She does not want to continue to be tormented in the future, as Prometheus told her, and she can no longer bear the pain she feels now when she says, "I would rather die once and for all than suffer such afflictions every time. day” (72-73). Io makes this statement as if she has given up on life. Instead of fighting the pain, Io prefers to die because she only believes in her body.