This guide is keyed to David Grene's translation in Classical Tragedy: Greek and Roman, edited by R. Corrigan (Applause Theatre Book Publishers)
Perhaps the best place to start would be to consider what associations the name "Prometheus" has in your mind, and then compare Aeschylus' presentation of this character. If you do not know much about Prometheus, check the Perseus encyclopedia.
The play is set after the Olympian gods, led by Zeus, have overthrown the Titans, the older race of gods led by Kronos (Cronus), Zeus' father, who had overthrown his own father Ouranos (Uranus). Prometheus and his mother were the only Titans on Zeus' sid e. Zeus is now consolidating his power, and, like any new ruler, is busy crushing all dissenters. PB probably was the part of a trilogy which culminated in his release.
As with the Philoctetes, this play unusually takes places outside the realm of the polis, at the edge of the known world, outside the realm of civilization. Consider the significance of this setting.
Words to watch for: binding, constraint, necessity, limit, new, tyranny
The god Might's antagonism towards Prometheus represents an important pattern in Greek thought wherein force is opposed to guile; note Prometheus' account of this on p.144. We have already seen this in the Ajax. Does Aeschylus present this patter n differently than Sophocles?
Compare how Aeschylus presents the essential information of the scene with Euripides and Sophocles' initial expositions.
Compare this first scene with that in the Ajax.
p140: Note the play on Prometheus' name, repeating the pattern of significant names seen in other plays.
What effect does the constant reference to Zeus as the Father have? In general, how does Zeus come off in this play? Note that he is called a tyrant.
141: The chorus consists of the daughters of Oceanos. Contrast their attitude to Prometheus with the characters in the first scene.
155: why introduce Io here? What is the function of this scene for the play as a whole?
162-3 Prometheus here lays out Zeus' possible futures: either mate with a goddess who will bear his conqueror or release Prometheus and learn the future before it is too late. The descendant of Io who will release Prometheus is Heracles ("a man renowned for archery" p.166).
The drama closes with Hermes' announcement of Prometheus' full punishment because Prometheus has refused to divulge his prophecy to Zeus. Note now that Zeus punishes him not for stealing fire but for this refusal. Has Prometheus crossed a line so that h e now shows himself to be excessively prideful and foolishly stubborn?
Consider how the drama would have appeared visually, as a production in Athens, including such possible aspects as spectacular costuming, and the contrast between static and mobile characters.