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| Achelous and Hercules, Thomas Hart Benton, 1947 |
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| Hercules and Achelous, Cornelis van Haarlem, 1590 |
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| Hercules in the Stars |
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| Hercules Constellation Art |
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Images of Metamorphoses IX
Metamorphoses IX
The loving wife, believing Rumor's story and overcome by news of that new love, at first gives way to tears - her misery finds its release in weeping constantly.
Now Jove, his father, the all-powerful, rode down to earth and wrapped him in a cloud and, in his four-horse chariot, carried off his son and set him in the sky among the bright stars. Heaven now was heavier on Atlas' shoulders.
But we are young: it is audacity that's opportune in love. We've yet to learn what's licit: we think nothing is forbidden; we take as our examples the great gods.
Now Jove, his father, the all-powerful, rode down to earth and wrapped him in a cloud and, in his four-horse chariot, carried off his son and set him in the sky among the bright stars. Heaven now was heavier on Atlas' shoulders.
But we are young: it is audacity that's opportune in love. We've yet to learn what's licit: we think nothing is forbidden; we take as our examples the great gods.
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Images of Metamorphoses VIII
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| Erysichthon, not sure of artist or source, but sure beautiful |
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| Calydonian Boar Hunt, Musei Capitolini |
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| Antonio Tempesta, Atalanta and Meleager Killing the Wild Calydonian Boar, c.1555-1630 |
Metamorphoses VIII
"O Icarus," he said, "I warn you: fly a middle course. If you're too low, sea spray may damp your wings; and if you fly too high, the heat is scorching."
Do sons ever listen to their fathers?
His eyes were glittering with fire and blood; his neck was bold, erect; his bristles were as stiff as rigid spears; his giant flanks were flecked with hot foam as he grunted, hoarse; his tusks could match an Indian elephant's; his mouth flashed lightning; and his breath, in passing, scorched the boughs; and now he tramples fledgling corn, and now he means to make the farmers mourn - to reap but tears: he ruins ripened ears.
I really liked this passage, although transposing it was a bit rough.
Althaea: "O you, my brothers' souls, you, new-made Shades, accept this honor that - to you - I pay; accept the deadly offering I make - it is so dear, so costly - for your sake: the evil fruit my womb has reaped."
This appears to be a theme in Metamorphoses: the mothers bear their children, the children then are killed in battle, the mother weeps and seeks vengeance for the murderers of her sons/daughters. Womb to earth.
Do sons ever listen to their fathers?
His eyes were glittering with fire and blood; his neck was bold, erect; his bristles were as stiff as rigid spears; his giant flanks were flecked with hot foam as he grunted, hoarse; his tusks could match an Indian elephant's; his mouth flashed lightning; and his breath, in passing, scorched the boughs; and now he tramples fledgling corn, and now he means to make the farmers mourn - to reap but tears: he ruins ripened ears.
I really liked this passage, although transposing it was a bit rough.
Althaea: "O you, my brothers' souls, you, new-made Shades, accept this honor that - to you - I pay; accept the deadly offering I make - it is so dear, so costly - for your sake: the evil fruit my womb has reaped."
This appears to be a theme in Metamorphoses: the mothers bear their children, the children then are killed in battle, the mother weeps and seeks vengeance for the murderers of her sons/daughters. Womb to earth.
Images of Metamorphoses VII
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| Eugene Delacroix, The Fury of Medea, 1862 |
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| Herbert James Draper, The Golden Fleece, 1904 |
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| Joseph Mallord William Turner, Vision of Medea, 1828 |
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| Hans Broek, Medea |
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| Medea Kills Her Son, Louvre Museum |
Metamorphoses VII
"Medea, you are doomed to fail: the force you face must be some deity. I wonder if this power (or something like it) is not the power known to men as love."
"I am aware of what I do; if I'm undone, the cause is surely not my ignorance, but love. You shall be saved; but when that's done, maintain the vow you made."
And if Medea had not soared on high with her winged dragons, she'd have had to pay a bitter price.
The foreshadowing of the arduous, ill-fated life of Medea is nicely placed here by Ovid.
"I am aware of what I do; if I'm undone, the cause is surely not my ignorance, but love. You shall be saved; but when that's done, maintain the vow you made."
And if Medea had not soared on high with her winged dragons, she'd have had to pay a bitter price.
The foreshadowing of the arduous, ill-fated life of Medea is nicely placed here by Ovid.
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