character
Greek
Prometheus
The titan who stole fire from the gods to give it to humanity, and was punished for it.
Origin
Prometheus defied Zeus by giving fire — and with it civilization — to mortals. Zeus chained him to a rock where an eagle ate his liver each day; it grew back each night.
Modern usage
The archetype of the suffering benefactor — a scientist, inventor, or whistleblower whose gift to humanity costs them dearly. Mary Shelley subtitled Frankenstein 'The Modern Prometheus.'
Tags
sacrifice
technology
rebellion