Through
exploring archetypes in Metamorphoses, The
story of Apollo and Daphne is one prime example of beauty is in the eye of the
beholder. Especially when “Apollo loves Daphne at first sight … and hopes for
what he desires, but his own oracular powers fail him” (734). The story is
saying that even though Apollo is one of the all-might Gods, he still has
trouble trying to get a mortal to like him.
Usually Greek Gods have no problem when trying to attract a
person, but Daphne gave Apollo a chase, “I who am chasing you is not your enemy…This
is the way a sheep runs from the wolf…” (735) and wanted completely nothing to
do with him. The Problem was, Apollo was in such lust over Daphne that even
when she became a tree he still wanted to be with her as evident when he
stated, “Since you cannot be my bride, you must be my tree!” (734). I think it would
take an extremely special cause for some to remain in love with someone after
they turn into a tree.
It’s not that the writing has a far off idea, it’s just people have to have a thorough understanding of what is happening in the text. Ovid's Metamorphoses placed a perspective with a different setting. A more modern version of this story is also depicted in The Twilight Zone episode, Beauty is in the eye of the Beholder.
You and I have different views of the chase between Apollo and Daphne. I saw it as a villain chasing an innocent archetype. I gathered that Daphne wanted nothing to do with Apollo because of the arrow Cupid shot at her. But Apollo stopped at nothing to get what he wanted even if Daphne said no. She even had her dad turn her into a tree just to try to escape him and even that didn't stop him! He kept the tree, aka Daphne, for his own, even though there was nothing for him to do with the tree. He was so obsessed that he kept a tree instead of leaving her be! I believe both Jupiter and Apollo were gross, evil villains who violate women when asked not to do so. (Not trying to say your idea is wrong and mine is right- just wanted to give my opinion :) )
ReplyDeleteDaphne didn't have any interest in Apollo in the beginning, Cupid's shot only intensified her original feelings of Apollo which then lead Daphne to call on help from her father. While Apollos love intensified for Daphne after Cupid's shot, causing him to have an uncontrollable amount of lust for Daphne. Beauty cannot be judged objectively, for what one person finds beautiful or admirable may not appeal to another; also the perception of beauty is subjective. After Daphne was transformed into a tree, Apollo created a "crown" that was embellished with her leaves so he would always have a piece of Daphne with him.
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