The Prometheans (Play)

Ignatius converting the natives

The Prometheans, written by Marcellus Brabentius is considered to be one of the primary examples of 18th and 19th Century Hesperidesian Paternalism. The play centers around the civilizing mission of the Empire of Exponent, and has been cited by many as an early form of pro-Imperialist propaganda.

Background

The Prometheans written during the waning days of the Exponential Empire's status as a great power, and was written with the intent of reminding citizens of the Empire about the glory and purpose of their Imperial mission. The play describes the Empire’s arrival to Hesperidesia, during which time the settlers had come across a beautiful land but the people of the land were uncivilized. Leading the natives to abandon their lives of savagery and sin, the settlers brought God, fire, and civilization to the people. In return for taxes paid in the form of food, blankets, crafts, and physical labor, the natives were provided with the protection of the settlers and a path out of savagery.

Character List

The Settlers

• Marcus
  
• Ignatius
  

The Natives

• Chief Mutius
  
• Julianus
  
• Nepius
  

Plot

Act I

A native, Julianus, sits on the beach and begins a monologue about his simple life in Hesperdesia before he spots the settlers arriving with their ships. Upon seeing the newcomers, Julianus runs back to his tribe to tell them of the settlers and their awe-inspiring outfits and equipment. During the second scene, Julianus arrives in his village, which is shown to be made up of worn thatched homes falling to ruins. As he describes what he saw on the beach, Chief Mutius orders Julianus to bring back one of the settlers and prove they were of no threat. Following the orders of Chief Mutius, Julianus goes back to the beach, and meets with the settlers who welcome him with open arms. After conversing with the leader of the settlers, Marcus, the settlers decide to send a devout individual named Ignatius back to the village.  

Act II

Once at the village Ignatius notices many of the villagers appeared to be sick, the homes were crumbling and there was no sign of fire. As a sign of peace, Ignatius offers Chief Mutius a piece of bread from his bag. In response to his offering the villagers presented him with a piece of raw meat. Ignatius soon realizes that the villagers had been eating their meat raw, and were surviving mostly off of raw meats and whatever fruit they could find growing in the are. Seeing this, Ignatius decided to teach the how to cook by making a fire for them. Once the meat was cooked they shared it, and Ignatius explains that there is much that he could teach these people, if they are willing to learn.

Act III

Having gained the trust of the villagers, Ignatius explains why the settlers came to Hesperidesia - to worship the word of God as it was written in the Gospels. Ignatius goes on to teach the villagers of the Gospel and Scripture, and convinces many to abandon their former ways and join him so that they can be saved, not only on Earth, but for eternity. Many of the villagers join Ignatius, but several - led by Mutius - reject the new teachings and move into the jungle, where they begin commiserating with the demons who they once worshipped.

The villagers who joined Ignatius, led by Julianus, decide to spread the news of salvation to a neighboring village, bringing Ignatius and Marcus with them to demonstrate the power of their new beliefs, and encourage their neighbors to embrace their new faith as well. Once in the neighboring village, many of the inhabitants - led by a demon named Nepius who was disguised as a human - refused to accept Julianus and his message, and begin begging the villagers and the settlers to reject the teachings and instead embrace the worship of their old idols. The settlers reminded those among them of the protection that has been offered and the consequences of rejecting God.  

Upon hearing this, Nepius lashes out at Marcus, striking him down and declaring that the settler's God has no power in his land. The demons among the natives then shed the illusion of humanity and launch an attack upon the settlers and the converted neighbors. Ignatius, Jullianus, and the others engage in a fierce battle against the attackers. The play ends with Ignatius shown standing over the slain body of Nepius, with the famous final monologue of Ignatius explaining how his people will always protect the natives from evil so long as the natives embrace the protection of the settlers and the word of God.

Legacy

The Prometheans has been traditionally shown in Hesperidesian theaters around the world, and is considered to be one of the defining pieces of Hesperiedesian theater.