Love and Desire

Where it surfaces

• Transformation of Daphne Into a Laurel

  Apollo's unrequited desire drives the narrative, contrasting divine passion with Daphne's vow of chastity.

• Transformation of Io Into a Heifer, and the Eyes of Argus Into a Peacock’s Train

  Jove's desire for Io leads to her transformation and suffering, highlighting the destructive consequences of divine lust.

• Transformation of Syrinx Into Reeds

  Pan's desire for Syrinx and Jove's desire for Io drive the transformations and conflicts.

• Story of Calisto

  Jupiter's lust for Calisto drives the narrative, leading to her downfall and subsequent metamorphosis.

• Story of Coronis, and Birth of Esculapius

  Apollo's love for Coronis turns to jealousy and violence; Neptune's desire for the daw leads to her transformation.

• Story of Aglauros Transformed Into a Statue

  Mercury's passionate pursuit of Herse drives the plot, though it leads to tragic outcomes.

• Book III

  Narcissus's self-love and Echo's unrequited love drive the narrative.

• Birth of Bacchus

  Jupiter's love for Semele and Juno's jealousy drive the plot, showing how desire can lead to tragic outcomes.

• Transformation of Echo

  Echo's unrequited love for Narcissus drives her to despair and eventual transformation.

• Story of Narcissus

  The story explores the destructive nature of self-love and unrequited desire, as Narcissus becomes enamored with his own image.

• Book IV

  The passionate but doomed love of Pyramus and Thisbe, and Apollo's consuming desire for Leucothoe, drive the narrative.

• Story of Pyramus and Thisbe

  The lovers' passion defies parental prohibition and leads to their tragic deaths.

• Story of Leucothoe and the Sun

  Apollo's passionate love for Leucothoe drives the plot, leading to both union and tragedy.

• Transformation of Clytie

  Clytie's excessive love for Apollo leads to her grief and eventual transformation.

• Story of Salmacis and Hermaphroditus

  Salmacis's intense desire for Hermaphroditus drives her to pray for union, blurring the line between love and possession.

• Andromeda Rescued from the Sea Monster

  Perseus is motivated by love for Andromeda, and their marriage is the chapter's resolution.

• Song of the Muses

  Venus and Cupid manipulate Pluto's emotions, demonstrating the irresistible power of love even over the king of the underworld.

• Rape of Proserpine

  Pluto's sudden, urgent desire for Proserpine drives the entire episode, highlighting the destructive force of unchecked passion.

• Story of Arethusa

  Alpheus's relentless pursuit of Arethusa is driven by his enamored desire.

• Book VI

  Tereus's lustful desire for Philomela drives the tragic plot, perverting familial and marital bonds.

• Boreas in Love

  Boreas's passionate but unrequited love for Orithyia drives him to forceful abduction.

• Book VII

  Medea's secret passion for Jason and her jealousy over Creusa drive much of the plot.

• Story of Medea and Jason

  Medea's internal conflict between reason and passion drives the narrative; her love for Jason overcomes her loyalty to family and country.

• Old Aeson Restored to Youth

  Jason's love for his father drives his request, and Medea's love for Jason motivates her to perform the risky magic.

• Death of Pelias

  Medea's initial love for Jason turns to vengeful fury, illustrating the destructive power of betrayed love.

• Story of Cephalus and Procris

  Cephalus's deep love for Procris is central, but his desire to test her fidelity leads to tragedy.

• Book VIII

  Scylla's love for Minos leads her to betray her father and city.

• Story of Nisus and Scylla

  Scylla's overwhelming love for Minos drives her to betray her father and country.

• The Labyrinth

  Theseus's betrayal of Ariadne contrasts with Bacchus's love, highlighting the dual nature of desire—both cruel and redemptive.

• Book IX

  Iphis's love for Ianthe, Byblis's incestuous desire for Caunus, and Deianira's jealous love for Hercules drive the narratives.

• Death of Nessus the Centaur

  Nessus exploits Hercules' love for Dejanira by offering a false love charm, manipulating desire for vengeance.

• Passion of Byblis

  Byblis's uncontrollable passion for her brother Caunus drives the narrative, illustrating the destructive power of forbidden love.

• Fable of Iphis and Ianthe

  The mutual love between Iphis and Ianthe is central, with Iphis lamenting the impossibility of her passion before the transformation.

• Book X: Orpheus and Eurydice

  Orpheus's love for Eurydice drives him to the underworld, and his longing gaze causes her second death; Hippomenes's desire for Atalanta leads him to risk his life.

• Story of Orpheus and Eurydice

  Orpheus's profound love for Eurydice drives him to brave the underworld, but his desire to see her leads to her second death.

• Fable of Cyparissus

  Apollo's deep affection for Cyparissus and Cyparissus's love for his stag drive the narrative.

• Hyacinthus Transformed Into a Flower

  Apollo's deep love for Hyacinthus leads to grief and the creation of a memorial flower.

• Story of Pygmalion and the Statue

  Pygmalion's intense love for his own creation leads to a divine transformation, blending human desire with divine intervention.

• Story of Venus and Adonis

  Venus's overwhelming love for Adonis drives the narrative; Atalanta's hidden love for Hippomenes influences the race.

• Book XI

  Orpheus's love for Eurydice persists after death; Ceyx and Alcyone's devotion leads to their shared transformation; Aesacus's love for Hesperia drives him to despair.

• Story of Ceyx and Alcyone

  The deep, mutual love between Ceyx and Alcyone drives the narrative, culminating in their transformation together.

• Aesacus Transformed Into a Cormorant

  Aesacus's passionate pursuit of Hesperia and his grief over her death drive the narrative, highlighting the destructive power of love.

• Skirmish Between the Centaurs and Lapithites

  The centaur Eurytus's lust for the bride Hippodamia triggers the conflict, highlighting destructive desire.

• Story of Cyllarus and Hylonome

  The deep, mutual love between Cyllarus and Hylonome is central; Hylonome's devotion leads her to suicide to join her beloved.

• Story of Acis, Polyphemus, and Galatea

  Polyphemus's unrequited love for Galatea and Galatea's love for Acis drive the narrative.

• Story of Glaucus and Scylla

  Glaucus's passionate but unrequited love for Scylla drives the narrative, highlighting the theme of desire and rejection.

• Book XIV

  Vertumnus's persistent pursuit of Pomona and the tragic love of Canens for Picus highlight themes of desire and devotion.

• Transformation of Scylla

  Glaucus's unrequited love for Scylla and Circe's jealous desire for Glaucus lead to the tragic metamorphosis.

• Voyage of Aeneas Continued

  Dido's love for Aeneas leads to her downfall when he abandons her, illustrating the destructive power of desire.

• Story of the Sibyl

  Apollo's love for the Sibyl drives the granting of her wish, but her oversight leads to tragic consequences.

• Story of Picus and Canens

  The chapter explores the power of love and desire, from Picus and Canens' devoted marriage to Circe's obsessive and vengeful passion.

• Story of Vertumnus and Pomona

  Vertumnus's persistent pursuit of Pomona and his persuasive speech using the vine and elm as a metaphor for union illustrate the theme of love and desire.

• Story of Iphis and Anaxarete

  Iphis's unrequited love drives him to suicide, while Vertumnus's persistent desire ultimately wins Pomona's heart.