# Jealousy and Revenge in Bulfinch’s Mythology

> Theme guide for Bulfinch’s Mythology by Thomas Bulfinch.

Jealousy among gods and mortals frequently sparks cycles of vengeance, such as Juno's persecution of Hercules, Medea's revenge on Jason, and the bloody conflicts in the Nibelungenlied.

## Where it surfaces

- [Cephalus and Procris](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/cephalus-and-procris): Procris's jealousy, sparked by a false report, drives her to spy on Cephalus, resulting in her accidental death—a tragic consequence of unfounded suspicion.
- [IV: Juno and Her Rivals, Io and Callisto—Diana and Actaeon—Latona and the Rustics](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/iv-juno-and-her-rivals-io-and-callisto-diana-and-actaeon-latona-and-the-rustics): Juno's jealousy drives her to punish Jupiter's mortal lovers Io and Callisto, demonstrating the destructive power of divine wrath.
- [Callisto](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/callisto): Juno's jealousy of Callisto leads to a cruel transformation and a vengeful attempt to deny her honor in the heavens.
- [Latona and the Rustics](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/latona-and-the-rustics): Juno's jealousy drives Latona's exile, and Latona's revenge turns the rustics into frogs.
- [Proserpine—Glaucus and Scylla](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/vii-proserpine-glaucus-and-scylla): Circe's jealousy of Scylla drives her to use magic to punish her rival, transforming her into a monster.
- [Glaucus and Scylla](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/glaucus-and-scylla): Circe's jealousy of Scylla and her vengeful transformation of the nymph into a monster.
- [Apollo and Hyacinthus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/apollo-and-hyacinthus): Zephyrus's jealousy of Apollo's bond with Hyacinthus drives him to cause the fatal accident, illustrating how envy can lead to destruction.
- [Cupid and Psyche](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/xi-cupid-and-psyche): Venus's jealousy of Psyche's beauty drives the plot, leading to vengeful trials.
- [XIII: Nisus and Scylla—Echo and Narcissus—Clytie—Hero and Leander](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/xiii-nisus-and-scylla-echo-and-narcissus-clytie-hero-and-leander): Juno's jealousy leads to Echo's curse; the rejected nymph's prayer for Narcissus brings divine revenge; Nisus as a sea-eagle pursues Scylla in vengeance.
- [Nisus and Scylla](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/nisus-and-scylla): Nisus, transformed into a sea-eagle, vengefully pursues Scylla for her betrayal.
- [XIV: Minerva—Niobe](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/xiv-minerva-niobe): Minerva's jealousy of Arachne's skill and Latona's revenge on Niobe for her boasts drive the central conflicts of the chapter.
- [Niobe](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/niobe): Latona's jealousy over Niobe's boasts and her demand for revenge drive Apollo and Diana to mercilessly kill Niobe's children, illustrating the destructive power of divine envy.
- [Medea and Aeson](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/medea-and-aeson): Medea's jealousy over Jason's marriage to Creusa incites her to murder the bride and her own children, exemplifying the destructive power of revenge.
- [Meleager and Atalanta](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/xviii-meleager-and-atalanta): Envy of Meleager's gift to Atalanta leads to the murder of his uncles, prompting Althea's vengeful act; the suitors' deaths and the lovers' transformation also stem from jealousy and divine retribution.
- [Endymion—Orion—Aurora and Tithonus—Acis and Galatea](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/xxvi-endymion-orion-aurora-and-tithonus-acis-and-galatea): Polyphemus's jealousy over Galatea's love for Acis drives him to murder, and Oenopion's revenge blinds Orion.
- [Acis and Galatea](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/acis-and-galatea): Polyphemus's jealousy upon seeing Galatea with Acis drives him to murder, an act of revenge for his unrequited love.
- [The Fall of Troy—Return of the Greeks—Orestes and Electra](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/xxviii-the-fall-of-troy-return-of-the-greeks-orestes-and-electra): The narrative is driven by revenge: Orestes avenges Agamemnon's murder, Ajax's suicide stems from jealousy over Achilles' armor, and Oenone's refusal to heal Paris is rooted in past betrayal.
- [The Fall of Troy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/the-fall-of-troy): The rivalry between Ajax and Ulysses for Achilles' armor leads to Ajax's suicide; Paris's abandonment of Oenone results in her refusal to heal him, leading to his death.
- [Agamemnon, Orestes, and Electra](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/agamemnon-orestes-and-electra): Clytemnestra's betrayal and murder of Agamemnon, and Orestes' subsequent vengeance, are central to the narrative, exploring the cycle of retribution.
- [The Phaeacians—Fate of the Suitors](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/xxx-the-phaeacians-fate-of-the-suitors): Neptune's jealousy over Ulysses' rescue leads to the petrification of the Phaeacian ship; Ulysses and Telemachus plot revenge against the suitors.
- [Fate of the Suitors](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/fate-of-the-suitors): Ulysses' vengeance against the suitors is driven by their usurpation of his home and their mistreatment of his family.
- [Myth of Osiris and Isis](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/myth-of-osiris-and-isis): Typhon's envy of Osiris's success drives him to murder his brother and later desecrate the body, illustrating the destructive power of jealousy.
- [XL: The Death of Baldur—The Elves—Runic Letters—Iceland—Teutonic Mythology—Nibelungen Lied](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/xl-the-death-of-baldur-the-elves-runic-letters-iceland-teutonic-mythology-nibelungen-lied): Loki's jealousy of Baldur's invulnerability drives him to orchestrate Baldur's murder. In the Nibelungen Lied, Kriemhild's revenge for Siegfried's death leads to the slaughter of the Burgundians.
- [The Death of Baldur](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/the-death-of-baldur): Loki's envy of Baldur's invulnerability and the honor shown to him drives him to commit the atrocious murder.
- [The Funeral of Baldur](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/the-funeral-of-baldur): Loki's punishment by the gods is an act of revenge for his role in Baldur's death.
- [The Nibelungen Lied](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/the-nibelungen-lied): Kriemhild's boast about Siegfried sparks Brunhild's jealousy, leading to Siegfried's murder; Kriemhild later exacts bloody revenge on Günther and Hagan.
- [The Nibelungen Hoard](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/the-nibelungen-hoard): The hoard is seized by Hagan after Siegfried's murder and ultimately lost when Kriemhild kills Hagan, reflecting themes of betrayal and vengeance.
- [The Mythical History of England](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/ii-the-mythical-history-of-england): The story of Ferrex and Porrex illustrates fraternal jealousy leading to war, and the mother's vengeful murder of her surviving son after the death of her favorite.
- [Ferrex and Porrex](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/ferrex-and-porrex): The brothers' quarrel over supremacy leads to war and death, and the mother's vengeful murder of her surviving son exemplifies revenge born from grief and rage.
- [Brennus and Belinus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/brennus-and-belinus): The quarrel between Brennus and Belinus over succession leads to exile and later conquest.
- [XI: Queen Guenever's Peril](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/xi-queen-guenever-s-peril): The squire's jealousy of Sir Gawain leads to a poison plot; Sir Mador seeks revenge for his brother's death.
- [XII: Tristram and Isoude](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/xii-tristram-and-isoude): King Mark's jealousy of Tristram, Palamedes' rivalry, and the queen's desire for vengeance over her brother's death drive much of the conflict.
- [XIII: Tristram and Isoude (Continued)](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/xiii-tristram-and-isoude-continued): King Mark's jealousy and Tristram's jealousy over Pheredin's letter cause conflict and suffering.
- [XV: The Round Table](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/xv-the-round-table): King Mark's jealousy of Tristram drives him to plot murder and seek vengeance.
- [Sir Agrivain's Treason](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/xxii-sir-agrivain-s-treason): Sir Agrivain's jealousy of Sir Launcelot and the queen leads to a plot that results in war and personal vengeance, especially from Sir Gawain after his brothers' deaths.
- [Geraint, the Son of Erbin (Continued)](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/vii-geraint-the-son-of-erbin-continued): Geraint's jealousy of Enid's supposed infidelity drives the plot, leading to harsh treatment and a violent confrontation with the earl.
- [Branwen, the Daughter of Llyr](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/ix-branwen-the-daughter-of-llyr): Evnissyen's jealousy over not being consulted about Branwen's marriage drives him to insult Matholch, and later he murders his nephew Gwern out of spite, triggering a bloody battle.
- [Adventures of Rinaldo and Orlando](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/adventures-of-rinaldo-and-orlando): Rinaldo's hatred for Angelica, stemming from the fountain of hate, leads him to fight against her cause, and Orlando's anger at the theft of Durindana fuels his determination.
- [The Invasion of France](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/the-invasion-of-france): Agramant's desire to avenge his father's death and the traitorous schemes of Gano drive the conflict.
- [Orlando Mad](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/orlando-mad): Orlando's jealousy over Angelica's choice drives him to rage and violence, defacing the grotto and attacking all in his path.
- [Zerbino and Isabella](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/zerbino-and-isabella): Rodomont's actions are driven by indignation from Doralice's treatment; his bridge challenge becomes a vengeful tribute to Isabella.
- [The War in Africa](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/the-war-in-africa): The Saracens' treachery and the ensuing battle are driven by pride and the desire for revenge.
- [The Battle of Roncesvalles](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/the-battle-of-roncesvalles): Gan's betrayal is driven by envy of Orlando and a desire for revenge for a perceived insult.
- [Huon of Bordeaux](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/huon-of-bordeaux): Amaury's resentment against the house of Guienne and his plot with Charlot to kill Huon and Girard out of revenge and greed.
- [Ogier, the Dane](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/ogier-the-dane): Charlot's jealousy of Ogier leads to treacherous ambush and ongoing conflict.
- [Ogier, the Dane (Continued)](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/ogier-the-dane-continued): Charlot's jealousy of Baldwin's resemblance to Ogier leads to murder; Ogier's quest for vengeance drives the plot.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/themes/jealousy_and_revenge
- Themes index: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/themes