The Truth Of Prometheus (The Play) Part 2
ACT IV
SCENE I
At a prison outside of Athens, Greece.
Prometheus has been arrested and will be exiled along with Persephone from the city. For now, the two are held together in the same cell.
PROMETHEUS.
Teacher, may I enquire—where shalt thou go next, after thine exile? I am bound for Thebes. Dost thou wish to accompany me on my journey?
PERSEPHONE.
I believe I shall join the community of Pythagorean exiles in Elis.
PROMETHEUS.
’Tis a great comfort to have thee by my side. I regret thy banishment deeply.
PERSEPHONE.
And I regret thine as well. What I have been charged with is solely my doing, yet thou hast committed no offence against the Athenian gods.
PROMETHEUS.
I was exiled from Athens on the charge of corrupting the youth. According to the law, I am deemed guilty of that crime.
PERSEPHONE.
In what manner wert thou corrupting the youth?
PROMETHEUS.
I was told by a very powerful politician—a senator by the name of Mikrion—that I had committed that grave offence.
PERSEPHONE.
I know well of his insufferable arrogance. And how, pray, wert thou corrupting the youth?
PROMETHEUS.
According to the senator, I was doing so—though, as thou well knowest, my only true aim was to pursue universal truth and to discover my destiny.
PERSEPHONE.
A universal truth known truly by few—found only after long years of earnest searching.
PROMETHEUS.
Wherefore have so many failed to discover this universal truth?
PERSEPHONE.
If I told thee that I believe I have found it, what wouldst thou say?
PROMETHEUS.
What art thou implying?
PERSEPHONE.
We possess the power to uncover the universal truth.
PROMETHEUS.
What power is this?
PERSEPHONE.
It is called our will.
PROMETHEUS.
Will? What dost thou mean?
PERSEPHONE.
I cannot tell thee much more. ’Tis for thee to discover.
PROMETHEUS.
Please, teacher—I must know!
PERSEPHONE.
Let us rest now. The journey in the morning shall be wearisome.
PROMETHEUS.
But I must know of this will—this power of which thou speakest!
PERSEPHONE.
Thou must attain the highest state of consciousness in order to comprehend the power of the will.
SCENE II
At a grotto outside of Athens, Greece.
The following evening, Prometheus and Persephone are released. They pass the night at a solitary grotto. Prometheus begins to experience a strange dream in which he travels through the universe. He then finds himself once more in the grotto—but a mysterious voice speaks to him, unbidden, as though from a stranger.
STRANGER.
Prometheus...
PROMETHEUS.
Who art thou, stranger, that speakest to me?
STRANGER.
I am thine inner self.
PROMETHEUS.
Am I dreaming? And what dost thou mean by my inner self?
STRANGER.
I am thy consciousness.
PROMETHEUS.
I do not understand. Who art thou? Why can I not see thee?
STRANGER.
Behold—I am thee. Go to the river nearby and gaze upon thy reflection.
PROMETHEUS.
What shall I find in my reflection?
STRANGER.
Thy truth.
PROMETHEUS.
The universal truth?
STRANGER.
Do as I bid thee.
PROMETHEUS.
I confess—I know not everything, and perhaps that is to be called ignorance. But I must know this truth!
STRANGER.
Indeed! And ignorance is not the absence of knowledge, but the idleness of will to seek it.
PROMETHEUS.
Then if I am ignorant, it is because I choose not to learn beyond my limited knowledge?
STRANGER.
Precisely.
PROMETHEUS.
Where, then, do I find this knowledge?
STRANGER.
Thou seekest the universal truth—dost thou not?
PROMETHEUS.
Indeed, I do! Tell me, stranger—dost thou know where I might find this truth and my destiny?
STRANGER.
If I revealed the universal truth, what wouldst thou do with it? Would it change thy life?
PROMETHEUS.
That I do not know. Strangely, I have not fully conceived such a thought in my mind.
STRANGER.
Go to the river. Then, go and pursue the universal truth.
PROMETHEUS.
But whither shall I go? I am exiled—and I do not wish to return to Thebes without having discovered the universal truth.
STRANGER.
Go to Elis. There thou shalt encounter a group known as the Pythagoreans.
PROMETHEUS.
Why? Who are these men, the Pythagoreans?
STRANGER.
Soon thou shalt know what thou must do.
(Prometheus approaches the nearby river and gazes at his own reflection. He is left bewildered by the vision and the voice of the mysterious stranger.)
SCENE III.
At the grove outside of Athens, Greece.
The following morning, Prometheus awakens to tell Persephone about the unusual nature of his dream.
PROMETHEUS.
Teacher, thou wouldst not believe me, if I told thee about a strange dream I had last night.
PERSEPHONE.
What was this extraordinary dream, young man?
PROMETHEUS.
I was sharing a fascinating conversation with a voice who was a stranger.
PERSEPHONE.
And what is so unique about that dream?
PROMETHEUS.
The voice told me that I would find at last the universal truth.
PERSEPHONE.
A voice? What did the stranger look like in appearance?
PROMETHEUS.
That I do not know! I only heard his voice. 'Tis a mystery that hath eluded my mind ever since I awakened.
PERSEPHONE.
Well then, my young man, what exactly did this stranger reveal to thee?
PROMETHEUS.
That I cannot reveal plainly, because he spoke in the way of riddles, and the only thing I remember was his mention of the universal truth.
PERSEPHONE.
I suppose that there must be some untold and unknown purpose for this dream.
PROMETHEUS.
Whatever 'tis, I am at a loss to know what was exactly meant by the words of this godlike voice.
PERSEPHONE.
There is much in this world and the universe that remaineth unsolved to us today.
PROMETHEUS.
But thou art a great philosopher and knew Socrates. What am I to do, teacher?
PERSEPHONE.
Indeed, I knew Socrates, and he was a wise man of philosophy, but even he struggled to discover his own truth.
PROMETHEUS.
There must be a universal truth that correspondeth to the order of the universe.
PERSEPHONE.
There is a universal truth, but few men have found and understood its relevance.
PROMETHEUS.
I have travelled from Thebes to Athens to acquire knowledge. However, I was exiled from the city not of my own accord. I must go to Elis and speak to the Pythagoreans about the matter.
PERSEPHONE.
We shall speak to them and hear their opinions.
PROMETHEUS.
I know it may seem mad, but I must know my fate. I do not know how to explain it in the simplicity of words.
PERSEPHONE.
I warn thee, beware of the enemies that await thee hither or thither! Knowledge and sapience are tools for deceivers to apply.
SCENE IV.
At the entrance to the city of Elis in Greece.
Prometheus and Persephone have reached the city of Elis. There Persephone shall remain. They wish to speak to the Pythagoreans in privacy.
PROMETHEUS.
I shall hope that thou shalt find Elis to be satisfactory, wise teacher.
PERSEPHONE.
Do not worry, young man, I shall be safe here!
PROMETHEUS.
It still doth not comfort me much, but I am content to see thee released from that horrific confinement.
PERSEPHONE.
I cannot imagine any drear and melancholic place more grievous than confinement.
PROMETHEUS.
No man is deserving of such punishment. Not even the haughty Mikrion.
PERSEPHONE.
All politicians are the same; they think not with wisdom but act with ignorance and impiety.
PROMETHEUS.
I must agree with that asseveration; although it seemeth that man was not destined for any great measure of power and grandeur.
PERSEPHONE.
Power was not bequeathed to man, but only to the divine gods.
PROMETHEUS.
Then, when shall man learn not to act like the gods?
PERSEPHONE.
When they realise their infallibility. That remaineth to be seen, young man.
PROMETHEUS.
There must be something more worthy than power for man.
PERSEPHONE.
Indeed! The question is when shall man realise that?
PROMETHEUS.
I am a man, and certainly there must be more men who think like me and share that thought.
PERSEPHONE.
There are, and thou must search for them.
PROMETHEUS.
Search for them! Where do I begin to find them? In what city or town are they that I may speak to them?
PERSEPHONE.
Here, thou canst begin in Elis! I cannot reveal anything else, except thou must go alone on this journey, and when we see each other anew, thou shalt have the answers to all thy questions, including the universal truth.
PROMETHEUS.
Canst thou assure me of that possibility, teacher?
PERSEPHONE.
I can only assure thee that thou shalt have to suffer in order to understand the universal truth.
PROMETHEUS.
In what way or capacity shall I suffer? Shall my suffering be mental or physical?
PERSEPHONE.
Thou shalt feel and know of this suffering when it manifesteth to thee.
SCENE V.
At the oracle in Elis, Greece.
Before he returns to Athens, Prometheus decides to accompany Persephone to the oracle. There he has an encounter with two prominent members of the Pythagoreans, whose names are Simmias and Cebes.
SIMMIAS.
Persephone, we heard that thou hadst been exiled from Athens.
PERSEPHONE.
I see that the tidings of mine exile have raught Elis.
CEBES.
Naturally, since we are apprised of the tidings in Athens through our few acquaintances there.
PROMETHEUS.
Then, thou art aware of the terrible injustices committed by the ruthless politicians of the city?
SIMMIAS.
Ruthless? The politicians are all the same. Thou art a Theban. I am acquainted with the accent of Thebes. Cebes is from Thebes.
PROMETHEUS.
I am a Theban. That is true!
CEBES.
I am a Theban also. Wherefore hast thou come to Elis?
PERSEPHONE.
I was told to come to speak to thee, the Pythagoreans.
SIMMIAS.
Who told thee to come to speak to us?
PROMETHEUS.
If ye must know the answer to that particular question, a voice of a stranger told me to come.
CEBES.
A stranger? What stranger? Thou art a student of Persephone? Since when?
PROMETHEUS.
For some time now, and I admit that there is none wiser than him.
CEBES.
That was said of the poor Socrates, and he was poisoned to death. I wonder if Plato shall meet the same fate as his mentor! As for this stranger, what canst thou tell me of this stranger?
PROMETHEUS.
I do not know, but perhaps I shall know in time!
PERSEPHONE.
Plato is wise, and as for Socrates, he is now amongst the immortal ones of the universe.
SIMMIAS.
Thou knowest, Persephone, of the affinity we shared with Socrates. Although we did not agree with everything he opined, his philosophy is to be commended.
CEBES.
Tell me, young man, what dost thou think of philosophy?
PROMETHEUS.
I do not know if I can define philosophy until I have found the universal truth.
CEBES.
Thy student remindeth me of Anaxagoras, a young man that spent his life in search of the nature and truth of philosophy.
SIMMIAS.
What universal truth?
PROMETHEUS.
The universal truth that correspondeth to the reason for everything that is universal, I suppose. I repeat, until I find this truth, I am at a loss and disadvantage.
SIMMIAS.
Persephone, thou hast brought to our city a wishful student that is on a quest for knowledge and his destiny. And he speaketh of a stranger that he only heard speaking. That is very interesting, but at the same time, not prudent. It is dangerous to speak about things in public that are not completely Greek in knowledge.
PERSEPHONE.
That is so! Nevertheless, this young man shall find his truth. Do not worry, for there is much he must learn before he can become a wise philosopher.
PROMETHEUS.
Tell me, wise Pythagoreans, where shall I go next to find this universal truth and my destiny?
SIMMIAS.
I am no soothsayer, but if thou art convinced that thou hast spoken to a voice, then go and find this universal truth of thine. Perhaps this episode of thine could resolve thy mystery.
ACT V
SCENE I
At the Agora in Athens, Greece.
Prometheus has returned to Athens in search of his universal truth. He knows he risks execution if discovered by Mikrion. He is sheltered by Persephone’s students, Nichomachos and Sophoklos.
SOPHOKLOS
We were sent by a messenger—tidings of thine exile, and Persephone’s too.
PROMETHEUS
I could not bear to risk Persephone’s safety.
NICHOMACHOS
But why return, knowing thou wert banished?
PROMETHEUS
I had no choice. I was compelled to come back.
NICHOMACHOS
Thou dost not fear immediate arrest?
SOPHOKLOS
Thou sayest thou had to return, yet hast given no reason.
PROMETHEUS
Ye would not understand me, even were I to explain.
NICHOMACHOS
Do speak on—we are most eager to hear thy reason.
PROMETHEUS
I returned to Athens because I had a most peculiar dream—unlike any I have ever known.
SOPHOKLOS
What kind of dream, Prometheus?
PROMETHEUS
I was sleeping in a grotto when I awoke to hear a strange voice speaking to me.
NICHOMACHOS
A voice? What manner of voice? And what message did it bear?
PROMETHEUS
I cannot say what it truly was. As for the message—it bade me go to Elis and speak with the Pythagoreans. And so I did. I heard only the voice—nothing more.
NICHOMACHOS
Surely thou must have seen some form or figure, something to indicate the voice’s nature?
PROMETHEUS
I swear he bore no appearance—none that I could discern.
SOPHOKLOS
Then what remaineth to thee of that encounter? What dost thou remember?
PROMETHEUS
Only the voice—and his instruction to go to Elis. That is all.
NICHOMACHOS
And this is what compelled thee to return?
PROMETHEUS
To find the universal truth that I seek—and to fulfil my destiny.
SOPHOKLOS
The universal truth?
PROMETHEUS
Aye.
SOPHOKLOS
Why believe it lieth here, in Athens?
NICHOMACHOS
What is this universal truth?
PROMETHEUS
I cannot say. Only that my instinct draweth me here—stronger than reason or fear.
NICHOMACHOS
I admire thy philosophical pursuit. Yet, the city is under tight control. Mikrion and the rest of the Senate—those tyrants—have oppressed us severely. Since Socrates’ death, the lot of philosophers has grown ever worse. His students, like Apollodorus and Echecrates, remain in hiding. Come now—to mine home. There thou shalt be safe!
PROMETHEUS
I do not fear Mikrion, nor the brashness of his loyal entourage.
SCENE II
At the home of Nichomachos in Athens, Greece.
Outside Nichomachos’ home, two guards arrive to arrest Prometheus and escort him to Mikrion. Sophoklos and Hediste are present.
MIKRION
Thou darest to defy the authority of Athens! And thy friends—accomplices, it would seem!
PROMETHEUS
It is I whom thou seekest—not them! Leave them be, for they have committed no crime.
MIKRION
For now, I shall not detain them. But as for thee, thou art under arrest—and shalt be executed.
NICHOMACHOS
On what charge? He could not have corrupted the youth—he only just arrived!
MIKRION
On the same charge! I warned him not to return. He disobeyed—and must pay the price.
HEDISTE
Will thou poison him, as thou didst Socrates?
MIKRION
His punishment shall follow the laws that govern women.
PROMETHEUS
Have I not the right to a trial?
MIKRION
Under Athenian law—no! That right is reserved for citizens alone.
PROMETHEUS
Then what shall become of me? I deserve to know!
MIKRION
That is where thou art mistaken, Theban. In Athens, thou hast no rights—thou art not a citizen.
NICHOMACHOS
And thine judgement is death?
MIKRION
Nay! Death would be far too easy. I have something far worse in mind.
PROMETHEUS
And what is this punishment?
MIKRION
Thou shalt become a slave—bound to my will and whims, for my amusement.
HEDISTE
By Zeus! He is no slave—he is a proud Theban!
MIKRION
Take him away!
PROMETHEUS
Whither am I to be taken?
MIKRION
To the prison cell—where all common criminals are held.
NICHOMACHOS
He is no common criminal—and thou knowest this!
PROMETHEUS
There is no need for struggle—I shall go with thee, willingly.
MIKRION
Then let us depart.
HEDISTE
We shall not forsake thee, Prometheus! We shall do all within our power to set thee free!
The guards escort Prometheus to a prison cell outside the city of Athens.
SCENE III
A field outside Athens, Greece.
Prometheus has become Mikrion’s slave. After a month, he escapes, but is recaptured. His punishment is to have his face burnt and disfigured. He is then thrown into a dark, solitary dungeon to be humiliated.
MIKRION.
Thou seemest to endure pain well, but let us see how thou withstandest the torment of darkness and solitude.
PROMETHEUS.
Wherefore hast thou burnt my face and shamed me with such scorn?
MIKRION.
So that thou might learn from thy transgressions and never commit the same again. Thou art my slave—do not forget that truth!
PROMETHEUS.
Thou canst scar my flesh, but thou shalt not break my will! Kill me now, ere I become a senticous thorn to thy side, pricking thee till the day of thy death.
MIKRION.
That day shall not come soon, and thou shalt not live to see that finality, Theban.
PROMETHEUS.
Thou art mistaken, Mikrion. I shall be there—and I shall make thee pay dearly for this wretched scar.
MIKRION.
How, if I may ask?
PROMETHEUS.
Thou shalt know, when the moment is ripe.
MIKRION.
Is that a threat, Theban?
PROMETHEUS.
Take it for what it is!
MIKRION.
If I were not thy master and thou not my slave, I should consider such insolence a grave threat indeed.
PROMETHEUS.
I am only a slave in body, not in soul. Thou canst inflict pain, but thou shalt never destroy me.
MIKRION.
Whatever thou sayest is of no concern to me.
PROMETHEUS.
Fear not me, but my wrath—for it shall not be merciful unto thee. I am a formidable adversary!
MIKRION.
I shall leave thee in this wretched dungeon to ponder thine inescapable truth.
PROMETHEUS.
Thou mayest leave me to the misery of solitude, but I swear, my time here shall end.
MIKRION.
I shall return on the morrow, to see how much more thou hast suffered.
PROMETHEUS.
And I shall be here. But I shall not remain in this dungeon forever.
MIKRION.
Where else shalt thou be? Truly, how dost thou plan to escape this place?
PROMETHEUS.
Thou shalt discover that upon thy return.
MIKRION.
And who would accept thee, Theban—with that monstrous scar that covereth thy face? Thou art hideous!
PROMETHEUS.
Concern thyself not with me, but with thy own ruin.
SCENE IV
The dungeon outside Athens. Mikrion is away, and Prometheus is secretly visited by Hediste, who has come to free him. Prometheus speaks to Hediste.
HEDISTE.
Prometheus, art thou here, my friend?
PROMETHEUS.
I am here, within the bleak darkness that surroundeth me daily.
HEDISTE.
Where art thou? Come forth, that I may behold thee. I see only the shape of thy shadow.
PROMETHEUS.
I dare not. Mine ugliness preventeth me from stepping forth. Depart!
HEDISTE.
Wherefore utterest thou such a dreadful thing?
PROMETHEUS.
Because my visage is too hideous for thy beautiful eyes to suffer.
HEDISTE.
Come to me. I am here to free thee, dear Prometheus.
PROMETHEUS.
Go. Forget me. I am better off dead and lost to the world.
HEDISTE.
I beg thee, emerge from the shadows. Time is precious—as is life.
Prometheus emerges, first as a shadowy figure, then clearly visible to Hediste.
PROMETHEUS.
Behold the disfigured Prometheus—a man once noble, now a monster—bearing the scar of such deformity I cannot escape. Canst thou bear to gaze upon mine abhorrent face? Canst thou sense the emptiness of mine heart?
HEDISTE.
All I see is a man of honour, whom I name a true friend. And of thine heart, there are few men with such gentleness.
PROMETHEUS.
Art thou blind to the horror that is my face, sweet Hediste?
HEDISTE.
I see thy scar, but I know thee, Prometheus. Thou shalt not remain a slave to Mikrion—or to any man.
PROMETHEUS.
Thou speakest truly. I shall exact my vengeance—cold and unrelenting—as he was to me.
HEDISTE.
Come swiftly! We must flee—ere the guards return.
PROMETHEUS.
Use the exit behind me. The guards shall not spy thee as thou departest.
HEDISTE.
Sophoklos and Nichomachos wait outside. Come with me!
PROMETHEUS.
I shall not depart until I’ve slain that wretched Mikrion!
HEDISTE.
What gain is there in that, if thou be caught again? Come! We shall find refuge outside the city. Beneath an old temple, a hidden cavern lies.
PROMETHEUS.
I cannot—yet. Go, and wait for me there, with the others. Make haste, before the guards spy thee!
HEDISTE.
Until we meet again—be safe, beloved friend!
SCENE V
At the dungeon outside of Athens, Greece.
Mikrion has returned, and Prometheus is awaiting him, with an eager disdain. What Mikrion does not know is that Prometheus has a plan—for his immediate escape, which requires the death of Mikrion. Mikrion enters the drear dungeon with a comical smirk on his face, unaware that his fate has been sealed.
MIKRION.
Theban, where art thou? Come out of the shadow of darkness forthwith. I command thee, slave! There is nowhere to go!
Prometheus emerges from the shadow of darkness and holds a dagger to Mikrion’s neck.
PROMETHEUS.
There is nowhere to go from here, thou greedy swine!
MIKRION.
Art thou going to kill me?
PROMETHEUS.
I shall!
MIKRION.
Do not! I beg of thee, my good fellow!
PROMETHEUS.
I told thee that I would be waiting eagerly for thy return—and I have!
MIKRION.
Who gave thee the dagger and freed thee?
PROMETHEUS.
Who gave me the dagger is not important, nor who freed me—but the fact that I press it against thy neck is.
MIKRION.
Be rational! If thou killest me, thou shalt still be a slave or a renegade of the law.
PROMETHEUS.
I care not whether I be deemed one or the other by thy society. All that mattereth to me is to be rid of thee, my vile oppressor.
MIKRION.
Think hard—about the wealth and prominent status thou couldst be bestowed by me, if thou allowest me to live.
PROMETHEUS.
Dost thou think I can trust thee after all thou hast done to me willingly? I cannot forget thine humiliation and epicaricacy!
MIKRION.
Thou canst! I give thee my solemn word—as an Athenian!
PROMETHEUS.
Dost thou take me for a fool? I know that the minute thou art free, thou shalt punish me!
MIKRION.
What shalt thou gain from my death, except thy own?
PROMETHEUS.
I shall gain my freedom—and my vengeance as well!
MIKRION.
What shall the purpose of that vengeance serve truly, if thou diest afterwards? It shall serve thee nothing!
PROMETHEUS.
Perhaps! Nevertheless, ’tis my life. I have been thy slave, but now—before thou perishest under the blade of my dagger—thou shalt die a worse death than a slave—a coward’s death!
MIKRION.
If I am to die today at the hands of a slave, then I shall leave this world saying—thou art Theban, inferior to me. I shall die a powerful man, and thou a wretched slave!
Mikrion begins to laugh at Prometheus, taunting him.
PROMETHEUS.
Perhaps! But ’tis a wretched slave that hath slain a powerful man, whose power cannot save him. Where is thy power now, Athenian? Behold—the power of this dagger!
Prometheus stabs Mikrion in the heart several times. Mikrion falls to the ground and dies a dishonourable death. Prometheus escapes the prison through the back entrance and joins the others at the abandoned cave.
SCENE V
At the city of Megara in Greece.
Prometheus is informed that Demotimos, his good friend who betrayed him, is hiding in the city. He discovers him walking towards a temple at night, alone. There he waits to encounter him, unbeknownst to Demotimos—wearing a mask.
PROMETHEUS.
How dastardly thou hast gone to avoid me, my dear friend!
DEMOTIMOS.
Prometheus? How didst thou find me here in Megara? Wherefore dost thou have thy face covered with a mask?
PROMETHEUS.
Thou shalt know the answer truly, and soon. But didst thou think I would never locate the man who caused my slavery?
DEMOTIMOS.
I can explain it all, my good friend! I was forced to comply—or I would have been executed by Mikrion!
PROMETHEUS.
I see the Megarians have treated thee well! Thou wert always enamoured with luxury, immersed in endless revelry and jollification—but I never thought thou wouldst betray me so cowardly!
DEMOTIMOS.
I tell thee—I had no other option!
PROMETHEUS.
I would call thee a hedonist with thine affectation, but thou art worse than the Epicureans. At least they value the virtue of a man. Thy debauchery and indulgence for pleasure and delectation hath condemned thy soul to eternal Hades. Thou wouldst seek the wealth of Tantalus and the astuteness of Daedalus before the nobility of Empedocles!
DEMOTIMOS.
Really, Prometheus? Who dost thou think thou art to condemn me—an inept poet who fancieth himself to be on a quest for knowledge and destiny? Who is the idiot from amongst us two?
PROMETHEUS.
Indeed—I may be the idiot or ignoramus that believeth in such things, but I’d rather be an idiot than a traitor without scruple.
DEMOTIMOS.
What dost thou plan on doing to me? Hast thou come to murder me?
PROMETHEUS.
Soon, thou shalt be aware of mine action.
DEMOTIMOS.
Surely, thou knowest that if thou murderest me, thou shalt become a criminal!
PROMETHEUS.
Perchance. However, I care little what society shall deem me. I care not if I be named a criminal or assassin—as long as I can avenge the wrong done unto me.
DEMOTIMOS.
Then, thou hast come to Megara to murder me? Is that not so?
PROMETHEUS.
What dost thou think I should do with a traitor, Demotimos?
DEMOTIMOS.
I do not know! Why dost thou not proceed to tell me?
PROMETHEUS.
If the situation were reversed—wouldst thou not seek revenge?
DEMOTIMOS.
It would all depend!
PROMETHEUS.
It dependeth on what? How so?
DEMOTIMOS.
Whether or not one of us was an actual murderer.
PROMETHEUS.
Thou wert never good at the art of lying, Demotimos. I see thou hast destroyed any goodness in thee, and hast become a man of imbonity. We were once inseparable friends, but now all I see before me is a rapacious man who hath forsaken his loyal friend for wealth—volitionally.
Prometheus throws the golden coins he took from Mikrion onto the floor. Demotimos picks up the coins and then utters:
DEMOTIMOS.
Thou art a foolish man that envisioneth himself a poet and philosopher. If thou art to murder me, then be done with the deed now. Art thou not brave enough?
PROMETHEUS.
I shall do to thee what thou didst not do to me.
DEMOTIMOS.
And what is that?
PROMETHEUS.
I shall be merciful.
DEMOTIMOS.
Merciful? Look at thee! Thou art a runaway slave whom I could report to the authorities at once—if I desire to effectuate that intention.
PROMETHEUS.
True. But before I go, I shall leave thee with a reminder of my misery.
Thou asked why my face is covered. I shall show thee—gladly.
Prometheus removes the mask that covers his face. Demotimos stares at his scarred face with the utmost disgust.
DEMOTIMOS.
Poor devil! Mikrion hath scarred thy face forever and made thee a hideous monster.
Thou art a monster!
PROMETHEUS.
Look upon my face and scar for the last time—for thou shalt remember the man that left thy face scarred!
Prometheus draws his sharp dagger and cuts the flesh off the lower countenance of Demotimos, leaving a heavy scar as evidence. Demotimos screams and falls to the ground. Prometheus abruptly flees the scene.
SCENE VI.
At the port of Athens, Greece.
Prometheus secretly returns to Athens to seek Hediste and the others. After this, he departs the ancient city of Athens by boat, but not before he speaks to Hediste, for the last time.
HEDISTE.
Whither wilt thou go, my dear friend Prometheus?
PROMETHEUS.
That I know not precisely! To Sparta, Crete, Thessaly, Rhodes, or the Peloponnese, betwixt the Ionian and Aegean Seas. I have heard tell of the lands of the Peloponnese and the regions of Laconia in the southeast, Messenia in the southwest, Elis in the west, Achaia in the north, Korinthia in the northeast, and Argolis in the east. I have also heard of the great cities of Macedon—Methone, Pyda, Potidaea, and Stageira.
HEDISTE.
Wilt thou ever return to Athens again?
PROMETHEUS.
Perhaps one day, I shall return!
HEDISTE.
Why must thou leave?
PROMETHEUS.
I erred, selfishly believing that my destiny and the pursuit of knowledge could be fulfilled in Athens alone. I now possess more knowledge than I did before. And as for my destiny, I must seek it—from land to sea!
HEDISTE.
What dost thou mean by such words?
PROMETHEUS.
I have discovered much knowledge within myself, and in the words of Persephone. There are countless others—like Persephone, Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle—from whom to learn. But I ask thee, what good is the knowledge of the few if it be not guided by the wisdom of the many? Should I feel fear or shame, when I possess neither, having naught to fear nor be ashamed of? I now understand that the body is the hindrance to grasping the ultimate truth. We must escape the troubles and uncontrollable cravings of the body. Death is but the liberation of the body; the soul is the eternal flame. We attain justice and virtue through the exercise of wisdom. Mine old friend who betrayed me—Demotimos—never understood this truth. Alas, I must bear the scar of mine ugliness for evermore, wherever I may go.
HEDISTE.
Thy scar altereth not mine affection for thee. Socrates once questioned whether virtue is taught, or acquired by practice, or through one’s nature. There are sages who say the soul is immortal, and that at birth we already possess all theoretical knowledge. Thus, in moral enquiry, there is hope—that by rightly questioning ourselves, we may recollect what we have forgotten, and gradually improve our understanding of mortal truth, ultimately arriving at full knowledge.
PROMETHEUS.
Where there is piety, there must also be the firm hand of justice to accompany it.
HEDISTE.
And the universal truth? Hast thou found it?
PROMETHEUS.
I recall Persephone once saying that a universal truth is one that corresponds with reality, and if it is truly universal, it applies always and everywhere. It is a clear statement reflecting reality regardless of time or place. For example, “ten is greater than five”—not a profound notion, but undeniably true. Yet I believe that for many, the universal truth is simply the only truth they know—be it through experience or knowledge.
HEDISTE.
A daunting thought indeed, if that be so! And what of thy destiny? Hast thou found it?
PROMETHEUS.
Time mattereth not, for I shall find it—perhaps one day soon! Protagoras once said, “Man is the measure of all things.” I have learnt that time is the inescapable force that humankind vainly believes it can hasten—when in truth, its course cannot be altered.
HEDISTE.
Socrates once said, “True wisdom comes to each of us when we realise how little we understand about life, ourselves, and the world around us.”
PROMETHEUS.
My philosophical journey hath only just begun, Hediste! I must learn from the tragedy and tribulation born of the curse of mine own existence.
HEDISTE.
But wilt thou wear that wretched mask for ever, wheresoever thou goest?
PROMETHEUS.
That I know not. It is a sorrow that I cannot be seen in public with a woman as beautiful as thee, without causing commotion amongst the people.
HEDISTE.
And what of the stranger in thy dream?
PROMETHEUS.
That I cannot answer with certainty, for I know not if he even existeth.
HEDISTE.
Return—please return. I shall wait for thee, with longing in mine heart, to see thee again, my friend.
PROMETHEUS.
One day, we shall meet again, and thou shalt hear of mine incredible journeys and mine innermost passions!
HEDISTE.
Go with the gods, Prometheus!
PROMETHEUS.
Farewell, my beloved Hediste!
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