The possible connection between David and the Greek titan Prometheus.

ambrosiah

MemberOvomorphMay 12, 20121812 Views10 Replies

After watching the multiple trailers numerous times and reading the great theories and discussions on this board, I have totally wrapped my brain around this movie. There isn't a day that goes by that I don't think about what may turn up to happen in Prometheus. There are many questions for which are to be asked, but there is one that is forever ingrained in my mind that I consistently ponder about. [i]Why[/i] the title Prometheus? Yes, we understand the story of Prometheus: the Greek titan that stole fire from Zeus and then gave to mortals. But how does this correlate to the story and even the fates of the characters? We know that humans embark on this grand adventure to an unknown world to solves the mysteries of the origins of mankind, and we also know we tamper with what is native or not native to this world we discover. However, we can make a clear assumption from the trailers that David seems a little too interested, maybe more so than the other crew. As he floats around the galaxy map, he seems almost admired by these "creators". So this leads me to this point. Basically, David is to Prometheus as the Greek gods are to the "creators". David's curiosity leads him to give the rest of the crew, humans (also known as mortals xP), the secrets to where life came from- basically the power and ability to create life at will (a further proof for this maybe happening is the emphasis on the fact that David grows fond of humans, something of which Prometheus does in the mythology). A technology that corresponds to creating cybernetic life, something of which David is and what humans are already capable of doing...just some food for thought. So if this theory is correct, that means David must be punished. What punishment does David receive? Note that Prometheus doesn't die, but is in an eternal pain that can never be reversed. His liver gets eaten away by an eagle day after day (ding! Weyland logo), but then is regenerated. I'm thinking that for his punishment that MAYBE he morphs into something... whether it's the first xenomorph, or something else. It's all speculation in the end. What are your guys' thoughts?

Microsis
Group: Member
Rank: Ovomorph
View Profile

May 13, 2012

My first thought, your post is too long LOL, no offense. But, I read it and it makes sense David's fate should, and will probably be the same as Ash and Bishops... not totally destroyed but rendered inoperable or obsolete.

Bishy
Group: Member
Rank: Ovomorph
View Profile

May 13, 2012

Great Post! David totally is a titan. I agree David likely will suffer some fate for whatever he does to help the crew. I'm curious whether the SJ's/Engineers are already there when the crew arrives or some of the crew somehow morph into or become resurrected Engineers. On a side note, it seems that Shaw's birth of a new xeno scene likely will be in the last act perhaps after an exodus off the planet/moon.

arnault
Group: Member
Rank: Ovomorph
View Profile

May 13, 2012

@Bishy: I'm hesitant to think that David will 'help' the crew, as in the David Featurette, as he explains his own nature, he states that he can (paraphrased) "follow directives which might otherwise be uncomfortable for humans." IE: He is capable of renouncing emotion in order to complete a mission. This will not be a film about an android ultimately abiding by human emotions; it seems as though it plans to pursue a much darker path. If anything, David will help to facilitate everyone's end. ALSO, You all forget that there is much more to the mythology of Prometheus than his theft of Fire. Prometheus is also known for establishing the tradition of burnt offerings; Prometheus functioned as an intermediary between Gods and men, and tricked the Gods into accepting the most heinous parts of an animal as sacrifice... the bones and offal, while humans are left with the choice bits. I would guess that this aspect of Prometheus' mythology will be explored in the film as well, with the crew of Prometheus inadvertently rendering the entirety of humanity as an offering to the Gods, aka: whatever malevolent presence they find living on the planet.

Windood
Group: Member
Rank: Ovomorph
View Profile

May 13, 2012

the idea has been discussed to death in multiple threads for quite some time.

Forever War
Group: Member
Rank: Ovomorph
View Profile

May 13, 2012

the idea has been discussed to death in multiple threads for quite some time.

Id Rather Be Eatin Something Else
Group: Member
Rank: Ovomorph
View Profile

May 13, 2012

Just to add, do you think if what your saying about David is true that in helping the Humans (his creators) that as a punishment he must suffer AS a human and their creators (Bio-Engineers/SJ's) somehow turn him into one. Making him a motal that is. A flesh and bone 'being' perhaps what he has wanted to be for sometime (RS making a nod to Pinocchio?) And the idea of the 'liver being pecked away continously' can in someways be as close an analagy as you can get for the facehugger to chestburster that makes the hole in 'his' body. So in a way, I am alluding to the hypothetical scenario that somehow David is 'converted' in someways into a "mortal" playing on the greek mythology interwoven within the story. Because he does stare rather close to the camera with that dark substance upon his finger tip. It may not be true or even acurate what I am suggesting along with the author of this thread but it is interesting to speculate on the possibility of the idea. And others of you here whom have commented are right too, this topic has been discussed to death of late! Hasn't it! Ohh well, given the nature of the sublect matter I'd say it was all worth it would't you??? Lol! Also it makes me think of Superman II when he is warned that if he gives up his power as Superman then he has to live as one of them, to feel like an ordinary man and can be hurt like an ordinary man.

Kane77
Group: Member
Rank: Ovomorph
View Profile

May 13, 2012

I think you cant take myths too [i]literally[/i]. Its not about a person. Its a picture of events like noahs ark. The fire is the spirit of man. The fire that [i]basically enables[/i] him to be non-animal because he got his free will, for good or bad.

Batchpool
Group: Member
Rank: Facehugger
View Profile

May 13, 2012

Ridley Scott has already stated that he is an ‘all about everything’ film maker. With his references to Chariot of the Gods and the origins of man, I’m under the impression that the role of David is going to be along the lines of relating to the Ark of the Covenant, and some of the mythology based around it. We know that the main theme is the Greek Prometheus and stealing fire from the gods, in the case of the film this relates to technology. My next question would be, how is it contained and transported. Who eventually takes responsibility for its safe keeping, and this is were I feel the role of David might fit in.

ambrosiah
Group: Member
Rank: Ovomorph
View Profile

May 13, 2012

@Id Rather Be Eatin Something Else What you say about him transforming into a human could be true, we just don't know. However, I believe it won't be human, but something else that carries a burden. Something mighty. Something that can be deemed as punishment. @Kane77 But you must present a myth in a literal way in order to understand the underlying figurative meaning. That is exactly what the story of the Greek titan is...and so is Noah's Ark. So why can't the literal depiction of the story of Prometheus be presented in this film as an allegory? @Batchpool Hmm, this is quite interesting! The idea that Ridley may be relating the transportation and containment of the technology presented to the crew and David in this film reminded me of the biblical David! In the story he's favored by God to be king of Israel. Maybe David in Prometheus is chosen to be something more than an android?

ambrosiah
Group: Member
Rank: Ovomorph
View Profile

May 13, 2012

And also another thought if the biblical David allusion is true. The story of David and Goliath...maybe perhaps David fights whatever is terrorizing the crew?