In Theogony, Hesiod quickly runs through the Prometheus myth in roughly 100 lines; Thus, making it difficult to do anything but summarize Prometheus" character. However, Hesiod's summary is very concise. Prometheus is a "crooked-schemer" who is "intent on deceit." (Hesiod, 547-48) The only information we learn about Prometheus is that he has tricked "great Zeus", not once but twice, and has been severely punished for his actions. Prometheus tricked Zeus into choosing a portion of bones at a feast. Zeus became very upset and "after that, with is anger ever in mind, he would not give to the ash-trees the power of untiring fire for mortal men who live on earth." (Hesiod, 561-63) However, the trickster Prometheus took it upon himself to steal fire and present it to the human beings. For this, Zeus "bound crafty Prometheus in inescapable fetters" to a pillar and "set a great winged eagle upon him, and it fed on his immortal liver." (Hesiod, 523-527).
Prometheus Bound is a play entirely about the Prometheus myth. This gives Aeschylus a much better opportunity to fully characterize Prometheus. The basis of the myth is the same in both works. There is no denying that Prometheus tricked Zeus. However, trickery is not Prometheus" only trait. In fact, Prometheus Bound portrays Prometheus as an all-knowing, brave and heroic rebel against a tyrant leader, Zeus. In the opening scene, Hephaistos, the blacksmith, is reluctant to chain Prometheus, even calling him a friend. This already makes the reader sympathize with Prometheus, even before we know why he is being chained. Shortly after Prometheus is left chained to the rock, the daughter's of Ocean "race" to see him because they "love" him. Zeus is described time and time again as a tyrant with a "sick mind" throughout the play. (Aeschylus, 557) From lines 660-739, Prometheus again gains sympathy as he reveals all of his gifts he has given mankind: numbers, letters, wisdom, medicine, chariots, sails, etc.
