How we cite our quotes: (Line)
Quote #7
PROMETHEUS. If anyone fell sick, there was no means of aiding him, neither by food nor ointment nor potion: they withered and decayed for want of remedies, until I showed them how to mix gentle curative drugs, with which they can now defend themselves against all kinds of diseases. (478-499)
One major separation between humans and the natural world is that humans can heal themselves (sometimes) when they're sick. We may not have tricorders (yet), but we can still cheat death in a lot of fantastic ways.
Quote #8
PROMETHEUS. So much for that; but as for the things hidden beneath the earth that benefit humanity—copper, iron, silver, and gold—who can claim to have discovered them before I did? No one, I know for sure, unless he wanted to spout pointless drivel. To sum everything up in a short sentence: know that all the skills that mortals have come from Prometheus. (500-506)
So, if everything humans know they know from a god, that clearly suggests that humans are on a slightly higher level than nature (in the world of this play, that is). But they're below nature in another sense: without the immortality of the gods, they will still have to endure the natural processes of birth and death. C'mon, Prometheus, couldn't you have stolen that gift while you were at it?
Quote #9
PROMETHEUS. Now hear about the future, what sufferings this young woman is destined to endure at Hera's hands. And you, child of Inachus, take my words to heart, so that you may learn how your journey will end. In the first place, starting from here, turn towards the sunrise and travel over the uncultivated plains. You will come to the nomad Scythians, who dwell in wicker homes, off the ground, on strong wheeled wagons, armed with far-shooting bows. Do not go near them: go on through and out of their country, keeping your path close to the rocky coast of the groaning sea. (703-713)
As she passes through different regions of the earth, she will encounter one distinctive group of people after another, each seemingly more crazy than the last. That makes this speech a cool kind of travelogue, revealing the diversity of human behavior. Is that nature? Or does the land make the people?