I realize that Edith Hamilton's Mythology is laborious reading. Let's focus on the love stories: those that succeed and those that, well, end in absolute disaster.
Please share your favorite romantic tale or vent about one that was just too miserable to have ever been created.
Don't forget to think about the purpose of the myth: is there an element of nature that has been immortalized by the lovers (such as a flower, tree, etc.)?
15 comments:
Even though it doesnt go in depth with the story of Hades and Persephone, that is my favorite story. Is that considered a love story? I love how it explains why there is no plant life in the fall and winter when Persephone is gone in the underworld. Also, it shows the strong bond between Demeter and her daughter. I dont know if thats considered one of the Romantic myths, but it is my favorite type of love story.
Elisha,
What an interesting choice. I think that any mother would say that it is absolutely a love story!
My favorite love story would be the story of Baucis and Philemon. The fact that they asked Jupitar to not live a day without eachother proves that they truly are in love. Also, I like that in the end they were immortalized as two trees with the same trunk because it shows that they will be together after death.
I thought the worst romantic ending in the the book was Pyramus and Thisbe killing themselves. Pyramus takes his own life without even knowing if his love is truely dead.Why wouldnt he search first? Then Thisbe finding Pyramus dieing and killing herself.It all could of been prevented. It did show though they wouldnt be able to live without one another and in result their blood staining the berries explaining why they turned red.
I agree completely with Justin's comment. I cant comprehend how Pyramus could kill himself with such little proof of Thisbe's death. People must be able to control there emotions in times of despair. Although both of them were in love there was no reason to take their own life's. Instead of the two lovers deaths, I believe they should have found each other and realized they cant live without each other. Hopefully than this would fuel their passion further more and the would have lived happily ever after.
My favorite romantic myth would certainly have to be the story of Baucis and Philemon. I find it so caring and considerate that they would invite strangers into their house and take great care of them even though they are struggling to make ends meet. It was also very kind of Jupiter to help Baucis and Philemon in return.
My favorite love story was the same as Sarah's, the story of Baucis and Philemon. I loved how their only "wish" was that they could die together. I really liked this story.
I think that the worst romantic ending is the story of Orpheus and Eurydice. I feel this way because I think it was horrible that Orpheus lost his wife on the day of their wedding, but then to go to the underworld, retrieve her, and bring her back up just to lose her again is unimanigable.
i completely agree with Katie. It must be unbearable to loose your true love twice. And her death being on their wedding day doesn't make it any easier.
I think the most ramantic myth was Cupid and Psyche. It shows that mortality can not keep two people in love apart. And also that faith and trust plays such an important role in keeping a relationship strong. I think it was very romantic how even though Psyche was not faithful to Cupid, he forgave her and they got married.
I loved the story of Baucis and Philemon because even though they were poor,they kept a positive attitude, and welcomed the guests (Jupiter and Mercury), sharing what little they had. The two were married a long time, and were happy with each other. They loved each other so much that they wouldn't want to live with out the other and that, in my opinion, is true love. I especially enjoyed how Jupiter rewarded the couple for their generous hospitality.
My favorite love story would have to be Pygmalion and Galatea. I enjoyed this story the most because Pygmalion sculpted his own true love. The statue was so perfect he ends up falling in love with her and that is just so heartbreaking to me because he can never be loved back. But, he is blessed by Venus. She makes the statue come alive and Pygmalion can finally be loved back. It seems like such a miracle.
You bring up some wonderful stories!
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