“Venus of Eryx, from her mountain throne,Saw Hades and clasped her swift-winged son, and said:'Cupid, my child, my warrior, my power,Take those sure shafts with which you conquer all,And shoot your speedy arrows to the heartOf the great god to whom the last lot fellWhen the three realms were drawn. Your masterySubdues the gods of heaven and even Jove,Subdues the ocean's deities and him,Even him, who rules the ocean's deities.Why should Hell lag behind? Why not there tooExtend your mother's empire and your own....?Then Cupid, guided by his mother, openedHis quiver of all his thousand arrowsSelected one, the sharpest and the surest,The arrow most obedient to the bow,And bent the pliant horn against his kneeAnd shot the barbed shaft deep in Pluto's heart.”
Explore This Quote Further
Analysis:
In this quote from Ovid's "Metamorphoses," we see Venus urging her son Cupid to use his arrows to make Pluto fall in love. Venus sees Pluto, the ruler of the underworld, as the one god who has not yet been affected by Cupid's power. By encouraging Cupid to shoot an arrow into Pluto's heart, Venus hopes to further extend her own influence and power. This passage highlights the themes of love, power, and manipulation, as Venus uses her son to achieve her own desires and control the gods. It also emphasizes the idea of love as a force that can conquer even the most powerful beings in the universe.
Modern Relevance
In this passage from Ovid's "Metamorphoses," we see the powerful goddess Venus urging her son Cupid to use his love-inducing arrows to conquer even the ruler of the underworld, Pluto. This mythological scene of love and manipulation highlights themes of power, desire, and the influence of love in shaping the fates of gods and mortals alike. The enduring relevance of this tale lies in its exploration of the complexities of love and its ability to transcend boundaries and hierarchies, reminding us of the eternal power of the emotion that has captivated humanity for centuries.
Example of Usage
In this passage from Ovid's "Metamorphoses," the goddess Venus instructs her son Cupid to shoot his arrow at Pluto, the ruler of the underworld, in order to make him fall in love. This example showcases the power of love and desire to influence even the gods themselves.
Reflection Questions:
As you reflect on this passage from Ovid's writings, consider the following questions:
- How does the relationship between Venus and Cupid in this passage reflect themes of power and control?
- What do you think the author is trying to convey through the use of Cupid's arrow to influence Pluto, the god of the underworld?
- In what ways does this mythological tale explore the idea of love and desire as forces that can transcend boundaries and rules?
- How does this excerpt portray the concept of manipulation and influence in relationships, both divine and mortal?
- Can you draw any parallels between the dynamics within this mythological narrative and human experiences of love, desire, and control in relationships?
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“...Jim finished his beer and wondered how in the hell he'd found himself in the role of Cupid. Man, if those four lads even thought about getting him to wear the wings and a diaper while he nocked his arrow, he was so renegotiating his employee contract. And not with words.”
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