The Tour · Theme
Love and Desire
How The Tour develops Love and Desire.
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.
Where it surfaces
- 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.