Introduction

In much the same way that ancient story tellers were innovative in relating myths, Richard P. Martin, in Myths of the Ancient Greeks, has also relayed many of the Greek myths because he hopes 'that the combined method makes myth more familiar and yet keeps it at one remove ' enough to remind the reader that the ancient Greeks were never quite like us'� (2). The story of Prometheus, like many ancient myths, has political overtones. This interpretive literary thesis will show that George W. Bush is a modern day Prometheus. Both are fond of playing pranks, both live in their own private world where they believe they are a boon to mankind, both are vainglorious narcissists who care more about themselves than mankind, and neither likes to play by the rules.

Summary

In the story, mortals and gods communed in harmony. Prometheus was commissioned to prepare the meal for a Lucullan feast, but thinking himself clever, he decided to play an elaborate prank on Zeus. Unfortunately, it backfired on him and on the world. Zeus retaliated by repossessing fire from humanity, so Prometheus craftily crept to Olympus and absconded with the fire. When Zeus discovered the deceit, he employed the assistance of the other immortals to fashion Pandora as a 'gift,'� which ultimately brought evil into the world.

Perfidious Pranks

Both Prometheus and Bush are fond of playing pranks on those around them. These pranks have a tendency to backfire, but if the prankster had given his actions some thought, the consequences could have been foreseen and most likely avoided. While Prometheus was preparing the feast, he contrived to dupe Zeus by designing the gods' portion of meat to seem unappealing while the humans' portion appeared alluring. According to Martin, Prometheus was preparing an ox that was to be divided between the gods and the humans (36). However, he had no intention of making the division fair.

He divided each portion in a manner that appeared to be fair, but Prometheus had a trick up his sleeve. He 'bundled up the ox flesh and the meaty parts in the animal's paunch, to make it look unattractive'� (Martin 36), and presented this to the gods. He prepared a portion of bones for the humans, but Prometheus 'nicely dressed them up in sleek, shining fat'� (Martin 36) so they would look more appealing. Zeus was so enticed by this that he complained to Prometheus, who nonchalantly indicated that Zeus should choose the portion he found the most desirable. Prometheus said, 'Zeus, almighty, glorious, ever-living god, pick the portion you want'� (Martin 36), knowing that Zeus would choose the portion intended for the humans. But what Zeus found instead, was a bag of bones dressed in fat. Zeus was very angry, but all he said was, 'Never without your tricks, Prometheus'� (Martin 36). Prometheus did not realize that Zeus was already plotting his revenge.

In a similar fashion, the President cleverly contrived to bamboozle the American public so that they would believe that Iraq had weapons of mass destruction. This was an attempt to get the public to support a 'War on Terror.'� However, even if Iraq did have stores of weapons of mass destruction, this did not fulfill the criteria in Article 51 of the UN Charter because Iraq clearly did not possess the capability of delivering those weapons against the United States. There was no justification for war on this basis. Parallel to Zeus finding out that he was tricked, the public found murder wrapped in oil. When no weapons were found, Bush changed the justification, and indicated that the U.S. was in Iraq for regime change. The President of Good and Evil, Peter Singer states, 'In Iraq, too, most civilian casualties were caused by bombs and missiles. Bush said that 'targets were carefully examined to protect the innocent from harm.' We now know that to be a highly misleading statement'� (51). Although Saddam Hussein was eventually caught and arrested, there now looms a civil war in Iraq, and many countless innocent civilians have been sacrificed on the altar of 'peace.'�

Because they are both inveterate tricksters, Prometheus is often compared to Loki of Norse mythology. It is the same with Bush. Loki was a master of guile and deceptions and, according to Thomas Bullfinch, 'of a very fickle mood and most evil disposition'� (413). Because of his nature, the other gods would sometimes want Loki to work with them; however, he would only do this if it was to his benefit or if he was coerced. Once, a Frost Giant disguised himself in an attempt to acquire Freya. He secured employment to build a residence for the gods, who promised to give him Freya as a wife. When it was almost completed, the gods decided that Loki must have tricked them to give Freya away. They threatened him with death if he didn't find some way to prevent the Frost Giant from completing his task. Another time, Loki was compelled to retrieve Thor's hammer when he lost it to Thrym, the Frost Giant king. Thrym would only return the hammer if Freya were given to him as a wife. Loki counseled Thor on how he should deceive Thrym to rob him of his bride and the hammer.

The President also plays many other tricks, and similarly, will work with others when it furthers his own nefarious plans. The Vice President, Dick Cheney, is a former CEO of Halliburton -- a company that provides oil services, as well as military and construction services. As CEO, Cheney was instrumental in gaining government contracts and, while he was on the board, facilitated the potential award of about $1.8 billion in government loans or guarantees, and about $1.8 billion in government contracts.

When Cheney ran for Vice President, he claimed that there would not be a conflict of interest and that he would sever his ties with Halliburton. However, he still owns over 433,000 stock options in the company and collects an annual stipend of about $150,000 per year. Since Cheney became Vice President, Halliburton continues to enjoy these benefits and was even awarded the contract to rebuild Iraq. Halliburton and Cheney could not pull this off without the help of President Bush to cover for him. The American public found out about the connection with Halliburton, but rather than sever ties with the company, or quit awarding them money to avoid a conflict of interest, Bush helped to cover up the situation and stood behind the lies (Claim vs. Fact).

Private World

Both Prometheus and Bush live in their own private world and believe they are actually doing mankind a favour. Prometheus didn't pay attention to what was going on around him, and he thought he was doing the world a favour by stealing the fire back. Martin informs us that Prometheus saw how the mortals suffered and secretly went to Olympus to steal back the fire (36). When Zeus discovered humans had acquired the fire, 'he was angrier than ever'� (Martin 36) and devised a plan to get even. He employed the help of the other gods to fashion Pandora as a curse upon mankind. Martin indicates that, 'Pandora was made to bring men pain'� (37). Indeed, because of her curiosity, Pandora opened the box and inadvertently unleashed evil and disease into the world.

The gods made her so attractive that she would have been difficult to resist. Bullfinch states that 'Venus gave her beauty, Mercury persuasion, Apollo music. Thus equipped, she was conveyed to earth, and presented to Epimetheus, who gladly accepted her, though cautioned by his brother to beware of Jupiter and his gifts'� (19). Although Epimetheus was warned, he could not resist. Further, Bullfinch states, 'There were no such things as swords, spears, or helmets. The earth brought forth all things necessary for man, without his labor in ploughing or sowing'� (20). But because Pandora opened the box, weeds grew, and mankind then had to work for his food.

Likewise, Bush also lives in a private world. He admitted that he doesn't read the newspapers, but is briefed by his staff. In 2003 he stated, 'I glance at the headlines just to kind of get a flavor for what's moving. I rarely read the stories, and get briefed by people who are probably read the news themselves (sic)'� (Bush-wacked 179). This means that he makes decisions for this country based on ignorance of the facts. The attack on the Twin Towers was an awful tragedy that Americans will never forget. But because Bush isn't always aware of reality, he's not sure when it happened. In 2004 Bush said, 'I have a record in office, as well. And all Americans have seen that record. September the fourth, 2001, I stood in the ruins of the Twin Towers. It's a day I will never forget'� (Bush-wacked 67). When he does speak in public, he holds his speeches with groups and organizations that are in agreement with his world view. Couple this with the fact that dissenters are confined to 'free speech zones,'� (Bovard) and it is apparent that Bush has effectively insulated himself from the real world.

Along with this is an attitude of martyrdom. Prometheus believed that since he had given mankind so many inventions, that he did not deserve his punishment. He said, 'Shining bright sky, breezes swift as birds, River sources, laughing waves of the sea, All-mothering Earth, Sun observing all: Look at me, see how gods force a god to suffer'� (Martin 28). When the daughters of Ocean saw him in his suffering, he related the stories of how he helped mankind by his inventions, and how he stopped Zeus from destroying all of mankind. He neglected to tell them the real reason he had been chained to the rock. They wept for him, but remained convinced that he must have done something to deserve his punishment. Prometheus admitted that he had done something wrong, but made excuses for himself. When Ocean arrived, Prometheus continued to try to convince him and his daughters of his usefulness and innocence. Prometheus also did not mention that he had some information that Zeus wanted. Had he been willing to give that information up, Zeus would have freed him from his bonds (Bullfinch 25).

Bush also exhibits an air of martyrdom. When his policies are criticized, his body language shows that he is greatly offended. On many occasions he indicated that it is his job to protect the American people and that he is the commander-in-chief. Bush believes that when he makes an inaccurate statement that he does not need to apologize for it or that he must admit his mistake. In 2004, he said, 'There is no such thing necessarily in a dictatorial regime of iron-clad absolutely solid evidence. The evidence I had was the best possible evidence that he had a weapon'� (Bush-wacked 23), in response to the fact that no weapons of mass destruction had been found in Iraq. Steven Colbert said it succinctly on the Colbert Report, April 5, 2006, when he said, 'The facts change, his (Bush) opinions don't.'� In order to rationalize his actions, Bush often mentions that others have read the same intelligence reports, and have come to the same conclusions. This is also an attempt to make Americans feel guilty for blaming him.

Vainglorious Narcissists

Both Prometheus and Bush care more for themselves than for mankind. Prometheus believed that he could do what he wanted without consequence, but if he had considered his actions, Zeus would have left mankind in control of fire, and the situation would not have escalated. Martin says, 'No one tricks Zeus and gets away with it'� (37) -- Zeus would eventually get his due. Zeus didn't stop with just punishing all of mankind ' he also punished Prometheus. Hephaestus, along with 'Force and Strength, the sons of Styx'� (Martin 37), dragged and chained Prometheus to the Caucasus Mountains where an eagle picked at his liver every day. And every evening, the liver grew again, only to repeat the cycle. Even after all of this, Prometheus persisted with his contention that he was beneficial to mankind. When Ocean and his daughters arrived at the scene, Prometheus regaled them with stories of how he helped mankind with his various inventions, and how he saved mankind from utter destruction when Zeus sent a flood to destroy all of creation. He did not mention that mankind had become uncaring and hostile towards each other and the gods.

Bush also believes that he can do what he would like without consequence; however, he has caused pain, suffering and death to many people in the Middle East and elsewhere who had nothing to do with the attacks on the United States in 2001, nor did they did have weapons of mass destruction. Because Bush forced the United States into battle in Iraq, many civilians have lost their lives. Iraq had a secular government before our invasion, but some Iraqis would like to make it a religious regime that will eliminate freedom for many, and will force citizens to comply with religious laws. This has caused a civil war in Iraq. Bush must believe that war benefits our country because he plans to attack Iran and Syria as well, and for the same reason ' weapons of mass destruction. On April 13, 2003, he said, 'I think that we believe there are chemical weapons in Syria (sic)'� (Bush-wacked 95). And even now, troops are in Iran preparing for war. We won't know if Bush will be punished until the midterm elections, but even if he is punished, it is too late to put evil back into the box.

Prometheus stole the fire because he was arrogant. Additionally, because he invented so many helpful things for mankind, he believed that this elevated his status above others; this in turn left him with the belief that he could play his pranks with impunity. According to Bullfinch, Prometheus said:

I formed his mind,

And through the cloud of barbarous ignorance

Diffused the beams of knowledge . . . .

They saw indeed, they heard, but what availed

Or sight or hearing, all things round them rolling,

Like the unreal imagery of dreams

In wild confusion mixed! The lightsome wall

Of finer masonry, the raftered roof

They knew not; but like ants still buried, delved

Deep in the earth and scooped their sunless caves.

Unmarked the seasons ranged, the biting winter,

The flower perfumed spring, the ripening summer

Fertile of fruits. At random all their works

Till I instructed them to mark the stars,

Their rising, and, a harder science yet,

Their setting. The rich train of marshaled numbers

I taught them, and the meet array of letters.

To impress these precepts on their hearts I sent

Memory, the active mother of all reason.

I taught the patient steer to bear the yoke,

In all his toils joint-laborer of man.

By me the harnessed steed was trained to whirl

The rapid car, and grace and pride of wealth.

The tall bark, lightly bounding o'er the waves,

I taught its course, and winged its flying sail.

To man I gave these arts (24, 25).

Bush demonstrated his arrogance when he said, 'It's important for people to know that I'm the president of everybody'� (Bush-wacked 5). When he decided to go to war with Iraq, his initial justification was that there were weapons of mass destruction. However, when it became apparent to the public that this was false, he changed the reason several times. Among those reasons were: that Iraq had links to Al-Qaida; that Iraq was in violation of numerous UN Resolutions; and that Saddam Hussein was evil and tried to kill his daddy. Although freeing millions of Iraqis was never used as a justification for the war, it was an ex post facto justification introduced after the war had actually begun in an effort to legitimatize it. This is evidence that he believes Americans are stupid and that he thinks he is better than them.

Breaking all the Rules

Prometheus did not believe that he must abide by established rules. A certain portion of meat was predetermined for the gods and a certain portion belonged to the humans. However, Prometheus believed that because he was a god, he somehow had special privileges. This mindset is an evident characteristic of the proud. Martin says that Prometheus 'did things differently. On that day he brought a big ox to cook. Happily, he set out preparing. When he had killed it, roasted part, and grilled some other pieces, he slyly divided the food into two portions'� (36). Prometheus assumed that he could get away with his trickery and defy the gods without consequences.

Bush does not believe that the rules apply to him at all. When he and some congressional leaders met to discuss renewal of the Patriot Act, Bush was told that certain provisions of the Act could alienate conservatives even more. He responded with, 'I don't give a goddamn. I'm the President and the Commander-in-Chief. Do it my way'� (Thompson). When told that certain provisions 'undermine the Constitution'� (Thompson), Bush retorted with, 'Stop throwing the Constitution in my face. It's just a goddamned piece of paper'� (Thompson). With such disdain for the Constitution, it is no wonder that he believes he is above the law.

According to the United States Constitution, The President of the United States has the power to make treaties with consent of the Senate. Additionally, the Constitution states in Article 6, paragraph two that 'This Constitution, and the laws of the United States which shall be made in Pursuance thereof; and all Treaties made, or which shall be made, under the Authority of the United States, shall be the supreme Law of the Land.'� On June 26, 1945, the United States took part in the signing of the Charter of the United Nations which was ratified on October 24, 1945. At that point, the Charter became part of the supreme law of the land as stated in the Constitution. The last revision of the Geneva Convention was signed by the UN on August 12, 1949, also making it part of the supreme law of the land. However, in 2002, Bush signed an order stating that he has the authority to suspend the Geneva Convention.

Several times Bush has stated that he would like to be a dictator. In December of 2000, he stated, 'If this were a dictatorship, it'd be a heck of a lot easier, just so long as I'm the dictator'� (Bushisms). On July 27, 2001, he reiterated this sentiment. Because he constantly defies the rules and has essentially eliminated the effectiveness of both the legislative and judicial branches of government, he has become the dictator of the United States.

Conclusion

Richard P. Martin's Myths of the Ancient Greeks relates the story of Prometheus which has political overtones, and prominently stands out as a comparison to President Bush. Bush exhibits many of the same whimsical attributes as Prometheus: both are tricksters ignoring reality, and ultimately their assistance was more harmful than beneficial to mankind and society. But there is also an important distinction between Bush and Prometheus. Prometheus did invent many things that were helpful to mankind, but there is no positive aspect about Bush. George Orwell predicted a society much like Bush's society. In Orwell's, 1984, the slogan is: 'WAR IS PEACE, FREEDOM IS SLAVERY, IGNORANCE IS STRENGTH.'� On June 18, 2002, Bush demonstrated this principle in action: 'I just want you to know that, when we talk about war, we're really talking about peace'� (Bush-wacked 89). The irony is unmistakable. The United States began her quest for freedom under the tyranny of King George, and it is possible that the United States will be destroyed under the de facto King George.