Aesop's Fables · Chapter
Prometheus and the Making of Man explained
At Jupiter's command, Prometheus creates Man and the animals.
What happens
At Jupiter's command, Prometheus creates Man and the animals. To balance the numbers of rational and irrational beings, Jupiter orders Prometheus to transform some animals into men, explaining why some humans possess beastly souls.
Free preview opens on this chapter — companions, themes, and character notes appear beside the text.
Narrative arc
Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Falling action.
- Setup
- Escalation
- Breaking point
- Aftermath
- Closing
The emotional and psychological peak occurs when the victor Cock, swollen with pride after his triumph, is sud…
Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.
Follow the arc while readingThemes in this chapter
- Human Nature and Vice
The fable suggests that human nature can be corrupted by a beastly soul, reflecting inherent vices.
- Appearance vs. Reality
Some people appear human but possess the souls of beasts, highlighting the discrepancy between outward form and inner nature.
Characters to notice
- Prometheus
The creator of Man and animals, acting on Jupiter's orders.
- Jupiter
Commands Prometheus to create and balance the populations of rational and irrational beings.
Key passages
“Jupiter, seeing that Mankind, the only rational creatures, were far outnumbered by the irrational beasts, bade him redress the balance by turning some of the latter into men.”
Jupiter noticed that rational humans were fewer than irrational animals, so he ordered Prometheus to transform some animals into humans to even the numbers.
Explains the origin of humans with beastly souls.
