Peneus

figures from harm; Artemis uses Apollo’s mastery of music against him and his contemporaries, using the viewer’s knowledge of her mythos specifically to bring attention to the notion of the lounging figures’ protector—as Artemis plays the protector in Bonheur de Vivre. Whether she protects as a figure within the painting or she protects exclusively through a viewer’s ability to connect her myth to the myths presented in the images is up for debate. Arguably, the myth of Apollo and Daphne most easily presents itself for interpretation within Bonheur de Vivre. Daphne followed after Artemis’ rejection of suitors and instead found love in exploring the forest. Apollo’s continued romantic advances meant Daphne called upon her father, the river god Peneus, to change her form into something that would keep Apollo away—a Laurel tree. The dense, multi-colored forest that surrounds Matisse’s figures, especially with their soft, curved trunks that echo the curves of the women below them, recalls the myth of woman becoming a tree. The trees that enclave the joyous figures in Bonheur de Vivre quite possibly then represent past conquests of Apollo, all turned into trees in order to spurn his lecherous advances. As the trees imitate the figures, it would only be natural for a viewer to then look for human traits within their boughs. The sexual connotation of the painting must not be overlooked, especially as there are two figures in close sexual contact in the bottom right of the painting…

the core dynamic for western literature. For example, book one is about the first creation, second creation as well the interaction between mythological figures, including Apollo and his lover Daphne. The god of love, Cupid, intervenes with Apollo’s love life with outrage, “and from his quiver drew two arrows out which operated at cross-purposes, for one engendered flight, the other, love” (650-651). Cupid struck Apollo with his first arrow causing him to fall in love with Daphne. The second…

Love-stricken Apollo persistently pursued Daphne. Moreover, Daphne did not give in to Apollo’s immense love no matter his persistence to be with her. Nevertheless, this is because of her vow to stay a virgin like Apollo’s twin sister Artemis. On the other hand, Apollo would not give up on his love for Daphne and had continued to chase her. Peneus, a river-god, and Daphne’s father, answered Daphne’s plea to not let her be married. Quickly Peneus turned his beloved daughter into a…

In the story, it said, “Daphne flew on, even more frightened than before. If Apollo was indeed following her, the case was hopeless, but she was determined to struggle until the very end” (p 120 Daphne). The fact that she was so desperate to escape means that she truly wants to have nothing to do with love and be by herself. Because of the way she feels, she goes as far as to ask her father, Peneus, the river god, to help her. Peneus heard Daphne’s plea and turned her into a Laurel tree. Despite…

but anything but is Bernini’s depiction of Apollo and Daphne. Taken from the first book in Metamorphoses, an accumulation of fifteen books by the Roman poet Ovid. The story follows Apollo, the Greek god of music, prophecy, colonization, medicine, archery, poetry, dance, intellectual inquiry and the caregiver of herds and flocks. Apollo, having been struck by Cupid’s arrow of love, encounters Daphne, a nymph and the daughter of the river god Peneus. As he looks upon her he becomes more and more…

She is running from him, just as animals run from their enemy while Apollo pleads that he loves her, thus cannot be an enemy. “Wretched that I am: I’m fearful that you’ll fall, brambles will tear your flesh because of me!” He insists that she slows down, afraid that she might fall, yet he does not stop chasing her. Apollo goes on to brag of his many talents, until finally he stops talking and begins to run faster, “He in hope and she in terror race.” Finally Daphne sees her father Peneus and she…

I'm in Love With a Tree? Ovid's Metamorphoses, contain light-hearted popular stories that have been providing people enjoyment since its circulation! Metamorphoses is the conglomeration of over two hundred tales written in the form of a lengthy poem. In these tales legendary gods and people, during the Romanian times, are seen magically shape-shifting/transforming into nature-like objects. The million dollar question here is whether it is possible to fall in love with an object. When it comes…

superior state; And from that ignorance proceeds thy hate” (Dryden). In this line Apollo believes and insinuates that Daphne should be proud that she is lusted after by a god and thus give up her virginity; he thinks he is worthier than a mortal man. Apollo is arrogant and entitled. However, Daphne refuses and begs to be turned into a laurel by the river god, who also happens to be her father, Peneus, in efforts to save herself from Apollo’s raging infatuation (Dryden). As Apollo attempts to…

transformed as a reward, while others as punishment for their actions. Ovid examines questions like how was the universe created and how certain animals and plants exist. He also suggests that love is a dangerous and somewhat destructive emotion, and that the god and goddesses felt strong attractions toward mortals which had more negative than positive outcomes. Ovid’s Apollo and Daphne is one of my favorite poems we’ve read in class, the poem states that Eros(Cupid) used two bows and shot…

A reader then understands that there are no forces that can stop these transformations from occurring because change is inevitable. Continuing, Ovid tells the story of Apollo and Daphne. Apollo infuriates Cupid when they get into an argument. It began when Apollo asks Cupid why he would have a bow when it only “befits [his] brawn,” making Cupid outraged at the ridicule (Ovid 655). Cupid retaliates by shooting two arrows, one hitting Apollo and the other hitting Daphne. His vengeance causes “one…