Bulfinch’s Mythology · Chapter
Ariadne explained
Ariadne, daughter of King Minos, helps Theseus escape the labyrinth but is abandoned by him on the island of Naxos.
What happens
Ariadne, daughter of King Minos, helps Theseus escape the labyrinth but is abandoned by him on the island of Naxos. Venus consoles her with the promise of an immortal lover, and Bacchus finds her, makes her his wife, and gives her a golden crown. Upon her death, Bacchus places the crown in the sky as a constellation.
Free preview opens on this chapter — companions, themes, and character notes appear beside the text.
Narrative arc
Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.
- Setup
- Escalation
- Breaking point
- Aftermath
- Closing
This excerpt marks the dramatic climax because it presents the emotional peak of Tristram’s brief reunion with…
Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.
Follow the arc while readingThemes in this chapter
- Love and Transformation
Ariadne's grief is transformed into eternal love with Bacchus, and her crown becomes a constellation.
Characters to notice
Key passages
“Ariadne, on waking and finding herself deserted, abandoned herself to grief.”
When Ariadne awoke and realized she was alone, she gave in to her sorrow.
Describes Ariadne's despair after being left by Theseus.
“As a marriage present he gave her a golden crown, enriched with gems, and when she died, he took her crown and threw it up into the sky.”
Bacchus gifted Ariadne a jeweled golden crown at their wedding, and after her death, he cast it into the heavens.
Explains the origin of the constellation Corona Borealis.
