The Tour · Question
How does The Tour develop the theme of Love and Desire?
Answer
The Tour by Louis Couperus develops Love and Desire across the chapters the companion marks for this theme.
Multiple forms of love appear: Lucius's obsessive grief for Ilia, Cora's unrequited devotion expressed through song, Caleb's pragmatic yet affectionate pursuit of Cora, and the eventual romantic union between Lucius and Cora.
Lucius's passionate love for Ilia, a slave he treated as a queen, is the source of his anguish and the hymn to Aphrodite underscores themes of love and yearning.
Cora's song to Aphrodite vividly expresses her unrequited love for Lucius, highlighting themes of desire and devotion.
Cora's hymn to Aphrodite and the romantic encounters in the reeds highlight themes of love and longing.
Evidence in the book
- I
Lucius's passionate love for Ilia, a slave he treated as a queen, is the source of his anguish and the hymn to Aphrodite underscores themes of love and yearning.
- VII
Cora's song to Aphrodite vividly expresses her unrequited love for Lucius, highlighting themes of desire and devotion.
- The Festival of Serapis at Canopus
Cora's hymn to Aphrodite and the romantic encounters in the reeds highlight themes of love and longing.
- The Dream at Canopus
Lucius's dream is dominated by his love for Ilia, and the prophet identifies his soul as sick with sorrow and love.
- XI
Caleb's passionate proposal to Cora and her confession of love for Lucius highlight unrequited and forbidden desire.
- Chapter XII
Tamyris's obsessive and unrequited desire for Lucius drives the chapter, culminating in his disillusionment.
- XXVI
Cora's passionate confession of love for Lucius and their physical embrace under the stars highlight the theme of romantic desire.
