Before the indifferent beak could let her drop? When the egg hatched, Leda adopted Helen as her daughter. Australian artist Sidney Nolan produced at least a dozen interpretations of Leda and the Swan in the 1950s and 1960s, connected with his work on the myths of the Trojan War and World War I. Yeats's life, with a focus on his development as a poet. Itzamna Overview, Mythology & Facts | Who is the Maya God Itzamna? All that is known is her name; she achieved nothing nor was she married off to anyone important. She was the wife of King Tyndareus of Sparta. The earliest depictions were all in the more private medium of the old master print, and mostly from Venice. They are surrounded by several other figures, including cherubs and what appear to be ladies in waiting. As a result, the new babes were hatched from two eggs: from one came Helen and Clytemnestra, and the other came Castor and Pollux. Especially in art, the degree of consent by Leda to the relationship seems to vary considerably; there are numerous depictions, for example by Leonardo da Vinci, that show Leda affectionately embracing the swan, as their children play. Leda and the Swan When Helen was still a child, she had been abducted by Theseus because he wanted to marry a daughter of Zeus. According to later Greek mythology, Leda bore Helen and Polydeuces, children of Zeus, while at the same time bearing Castor and Clytemnestra, children of her husband Tyndareus, the King of Sparta. The collection's closing pice de rsistance was a Leda-inspired swan dress. Read Poem Read Analysis Cite William Butler Yeats Nationality: Greece Where Athena promised to bestow Paris with supreme battle tactics and Hera promised him rulership, Aphrodite promised to reward Paris with the most beautiful woman. The goddess transforms herself into a fish and swims away in order to escape his attentions, but the amorous Zeus is not deterred and changes into a beaver to better pursue his prey. As a result, she gave birth to two sets of twins, some with Zeus as their father and some fathered by her human husband, Tyndareus. In his poem Leda and the Swan, William Butler Yeats retells the classic Greek myth in which Leda, a human woman, is impregnated by the god Zeus while he is in the form of a swan. [citation needed], A version of the Leda and the Swan story is the foundation myth in the Canadian futuristic thriller television series Orphan Black which aired over 5 seasons from 2013 to 2017. Being so caught up, Leda and the Swan World History Encyclopedia, 16 Feb 2017. Serapis, Graeco-Egyptian God: Mythology & History | Who was Serapis? According to Ovid, Leda was famed for her beautiful black hair and snowy white skin. Leda and the Swan Introduction Shortly after this encounter and subsequently bedding her husband, the King of Sparta, Leda laid one or two eggs that contained four human beings in a blend of mortal and immortal vitality. A helpful resource for more information on mythical figures referenced by the poem, including Leda, Zeus, and Agamemnon. Manticore History, Mythology & Facts | A Lion with Scorpion Tail, Apollo & Daphne: Greek Myth & Depictions | Story of Apollo & Daphne. [23], American artist and photographer Carole Harmel created the "Bird" series (1983), a Jean Cocteau-influenced collection of photographs that explored the "Leda and the Swan" myth in tightly cropped, voyeuristic images of a nude female and an undefinable birdlike creature hinting at intimacy. LitCharts Teacher Editions. A corporation uses genetic engineering to create a series of female clones (Leda) and a series of male clones (Castor) who are also brothers and sisters clones as they derive from one mother who is a chimera with male and female genomes. Clytemnestra married Agamemnon and later killed him. Hachiman, Japanese God of War: Mythology & Symbol | Who is Hachiman? WebThe Greek mythological story retold in Yeats' poem "Leda and the Swan" is one in which a girl, Leda, is raped by the God Zeus. In his arresting rendition of the myth, Yeats uses the traditional sonnet form to new ends, capturing the powerful forces by which history is made and the human impact of fate's violence and indifference. Leda Which children are the progeny of Tyndareus the mortal king, and which are of Zeus and thus half-immortal, is not consistent among accounts, nor is which child hatched from which egg. Zeus, as the swan, only appears metaphorically. 6The feathered glory from her loosening thighs? Thus, Helen became the impetus for Greece and Troy to war with one another. She was also believed to have been the mother (by Zeus, who had approached and seduced her in the form of a swan) of the other twin, Pollux, and of Helen, both of whom hatched from eggs. Niobe, Daughter of Tantalus: Mythology & History | Who was Niobe? [7] Another engraving, certainly from Venice and attributed by many to Giulio Campagnola, shows a love-making scene, but there Leda's attitude is highly ambiguous. Leda "Leda." Gallery Others like you also viewed Sparrow Sacred Birds Categories Community content is available under CC-BY-SA unless otherwise noted. Read Poem Read Analysis Cite William Butler Yeats Nationality: Greece Leda and the Swan Instant PDF downloads. Snakes in Mythology | Facts, Names & Symbols of Mythical Serpents. But feel the strange heart beating where it lies?, Image Credit: Antonio da Correggio, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons. It is also odd that, unlike the case of Heracles, not even Ledas children are punished by Hera for being the product of infidelity. Hodr, God of Darkness in Norse Mythology | Origin, Family & Role. This peculiar story was not unusual in Greek mythology. [2] Her mother was either Leucippe,[3] Deidameia, daughter of Perieres,[4] Eurythemis, daughter of Cleoboea,[5] or Laophonte, daughter of Pleuron. Leda also had three other daughters by Tyndareus: Timandra, Phoebe, and Philonoe. WebThe Greek mythological story retold in Yeats' poem "Leda and the Swan" is one in which a girl, Leda, is raped by the God Zeus. Upon learning of the murder of Agamemnon, Clytemnestra and Aegisthus grown son Orestes believed himself honor-bound to kill Clytemnestra and acted accordingly. There were several versions of the parentage of her children:- Some say she laid an egg from which were hatched the Dioskouroi (Dioscuri) twins, Kastor and Polydeukes, both sons of Zeus. How can those terrified vague fingers push. The second half of Yeats poem explores the wider implications of this event. Deucalion & Pyrrha: Mythology & Overview | Greek Flood Myth, Ariadne Of Crete | Family, Consorts & Role in Greek Mythology. Definitions and examples of 136 literary terms and devices. One set of twins is Castor and Pollux, two boys collectively called the Dioscuri. She was the wife of King Tyndareus of Sparta. Elf Mythology: Types & References | What are Elves? Freyr Overview, Symbols & Facts | Who was Frey in Norse Mythology? Dating to the Roman period, it is thought to be a copy of a Greek original sculpted c. 400 BCE and the earliest known representation of the swan myth with Leda. Tithonus in Greek Mythology | Origin, Myth & Immortality, Tisiphone in Greek Mythology | Origin, Sisters & Role, Lugh, Celtic God | Origin, Role & Mythology. The Underworld Mythology, Gods & Geography | Greek Hades, Phoenix Mythology, Symbolism & Origin | Greek Phoenix, Horae Overview, Mythology & Facts | Greek Goddesses of the Seasons, Hebe Mythology, Family & Art | Greek Goddess of Youth, Hindu God of Water: Overview, Mythology & Facts | Varuna in Hinduism, Half Man Half Goat Myth, Overview & Difference | Satyr vs. Faun, Dragon King Overview & Facts | The Dragon Gods in Chinese Mythology, Chiron the Centaur & Achilles | Overview, Mythology & Relationship. Cartwright, Mark. [8], In October 2022, the myth inspired Hozier to write a song in response to the Dobbs v. Jackson decision, which repealed Roe v Wade. "Art Facts: a mix of media on Wells Street", Third Vintage Contemporaries Edition, 2008, pg106, This Was Hollywood [@thiswashollywood]. The subject was rarely seen in the large-scale sculpture of antiquity, although a representation of Leda in sculpture has been attributed in modern times to Timotheus (compare illustration, below left); small-scale sculptures survive showing both reclining and standing poses,[2] in cameos and engraved gems, rings, and terracotta oil lamps. 3.13.8; Eur. We want people all over the world to learn about history. Leda and the Swan An ancient myth. 2 chapters | WebLeda was a princess in Greek mythology, daughter of the king of Aetolia, Thestius. On that night, Leda also lay with her husband. Helen of Troy (sometimes called Helen of Sparta) is a figure from Helen is a Greek tragedy by Euripides (c. 484-407 BCE). According to later Greek mythology, Leda bore Helen and Polydeuces, children of Zeus, while at the same time bearing Castor and Clytemnestra, children of her husband Tyndareus, the King of Sparta. He holds an MA in Political Philosophy and is the WHE Publishing Director. In his poem Leda and the Swan, William Butler Yeats retells the classic Greek myth in which Leda, a human woman, is impregnated by the god Zeus while he is in the form of a swan. Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. World History Publishing is a non-profit company registered in the United Kingdom. Her skin is alabaster, tinted with pink and peachy tones which contrast with the stark white of the swans feathers. The divine swans encounter with Leda was a subject depicted by both ancient Greek and Italian Renaissance artists; Leonardo da Vinci undertook a painting (now lost) of the theme, and Correggios Leda (c. 1530s) is a well-known treatment of the subject. Zeus appears to Leda in the form of a swan and either seduces or rapes her, depending on the version of the myth in question. Shortly after this encounter and subsequently bedding her husband, the King of Sparta, Leda laid one or two eggs that contained four human beings in a blend of mortal and immortal vitality. Leda Sign up for our free weekly email newsletter! WebGet LitCharts A +. When Zeus saw her, he fell in love with her. WebLEDA was a queen of Sparta, the wife of King Tyndareus, who was seduced by Zeus in the guise of the swan. [15], The last very famous Renaissance painting of the subject is Correggio's elaborate composition of c. 1530 (Berlin); this too was damaged whilst in the collection of Philippe II, Duke of Orlans, the Regent of France in the minority of Louis XV. She strokes the bird's head and neck and kisses it on the beak. Because he is a god, he can transform his appearance at will. Thyrsus Origin & Symbol | What is the Staff of Dionysus? Encyclopedia Mythica Buonarroti created this painting based on sketches by Michelangelo. The poem is regularly praised as one of Yeats's masterpieces. WebLeda and the Swan. Leda [34], In 1935, German-born movie star Marlene Dietrich wore a dramatically designed Leda costume to a Hollywood costume party. Leda gives birth to two sets of twins, two of whom are fathered by Tyndareus and two of whom are fathered by Zeus. By William Butler Yeats. Jotunheim Overview & Facts | What is Jotunheim in Norse Mythology? Variant legends gave divine parentage to both the twins and possibly also to Clytemnestra, with all three of them having hatched from the eggs of Leda, while yet other legends say that Leda bore the twins to her mortal husband, Tyndareus. Bellerophon in Greek Mythology: Overview & Story | Who was Bellerophon? Helen married Menelaus and then went with Paris to Troy, thus starting the Trojan War. Leda was the daughter of the Aetolian King Thestius hence she was also called Thestias. His son Louis, though a great lover of painting, had periodic crises of conscience about his way of life, in one of which he attacked the figure of Leda with a knife. The story of Leda and the swan was a fairly ubiquitous subject for dwellings in Pompeii and Herculaneum, both of which were leveled when Mount Vesuvius erupted in 79. Ogres Overview, Examples & Facts | What is an Ogre? WebLeda was a beautiful woman, and her beauty attracted Zeus' attention from his throne on Mount Olympus. A daughter of Thestius, whence she is called Thestias; 1 but others call her a daughter of Thespius, Thyestes, or Glaucus, by Laophonte, Deidamea, Leucippe, Eurythemis, or Paneidyia. Detail of Peitho, Leda and Hypnos from a painting depicting the tale of Leda and the Swan. He imagines the beak going into Leda's mouth.[29]. The Graces of Greek Mythology: Origin & Role | What are the Charites? Leda was famously seduced by Zeus when the king of the Olympian gods took the form of a swan. It was purchased by Larry Gagosian for $52.9million at Christie's May 2017 Post-War and Contemporary Art Evening Sale. Leviathan in Religion & Mythology | Origin, Description & Symbolism, Seer History & Mythology | The Significance of Seers in Mythology, Nuwa in Chinese Mythology | Role, Family & Worship. Enrolling in a course lets you earn progress by passing quizzes and exams. The original of this is lost, probably deliberately destroyed,[citation needed] and was last recorded in the French royal Chteau de Fontainebleau in 1625 by Cassiano dal Pozzo. [28], Ronsard wrote a poem on La Dfloration de Lde, perhaps inspired by the Michelangelo, which he may well have known. the swan upon leda refers to a story in greek mythology ab zeus wanting and lusting after leda but the feelings not being reciprocated, so he transforms himself into a swan and r*pes her, forcing her to bear his children. [8][9] Palumba made another engraving, perhaps in about 1512, presumably influenced by Leonardo's sketches for his earlier composition, showing Leda seated on the ground and playing with her children. Leda and the Swan An ancient myth. Here Yeats explores hot the tales of mythology merge with historical truth: A shudder in the loins engenders there The myth of Leda and the swan has also inspired writers. Ragnarok in Norse Mythology: Overview & Story | What is Ragnarok? Prester John History, Legend & Facts | Who was Prester John? After seeing Michelangelos version of Leda and the Swan in Rome, the Flemish artist, Peter Paul Rubens, painted two versions of the subject in 1601 and 1602. Language links are at the top of the page across from the title. WebLeda, in Greek legend, usually believed to be the daughter of Thestius, king of Aetolia, and wife of Tyndareus, king of Lacedaemon. WebDESCRIPTION. He famously seduced Ganymede in the form of an eagle and even appeared to Danae as a rain of gold coins. Leda Zeus seduces Leda in the guise of a swan. The song is called Swan Upon Leda.[9]. Vampire Origins, Legends & Types | The Evolution of Vampire Lore. According to many versions of the story, Zeus took the form of a swan and had sexual intercourse with Leda on the same night she slept with her husband King Tyndareus. He turned into an ant to rape Eurymedousa and abducted Europa while disguised as a bull. In these versions, only a single egg hatches and Helen emerges. Galatea in Greek Mythology: Story & Facts | Who was Galatea? Clytemnestra was the wife of Mycenaes King Agamemnon, making her both the sister and sister-in-law to Helen as she was often regarded as Tyndareus daughter instead of Zeus. He transformed into a swan and appeared in front of her; he seduced her and slept with her. Numerous educational institutions recommend us, including Oxford University. She strokes the bird's head and neck and kisses it on the beak. Some ancient writers thought she was the mother by Tyndareus of Clytemnestra , wife of King Agamemnon, and of Castor, one of the Heavenly Twins. Zeus also commemorated the birth of Helen by creating the constellation Cygnus (), the Swan, in the sky. Tower of Hercules | History, Mythology & Location. Leda & the Swan [citation needed], There is a life-sized marble statue of Leda and the Swan at the Jai Vilas Palace Museum in Gwalior, Northern Madhya Pradesh, India. Webthe myth that somehow men are superior still stands true. Definition Genealogy. Charon, Ferryman of Hades | Greek Mythology & Symbols. Pollux is often acknowledged as a son of Zeus while Castor, his twin, was often acknowledged as a son of Tyndareus. Did a lion apologize? By William Butler Yeats. By the dark webs, her nape caught in his bill, He holds her helpless breast upon his breast. Rubenss 1601Ledawas clearly modelled on that of Michelangelos. Before the indifferent beak could let her drop?. Leda and the Swan Introduction Find related themes, quotes, symbols, characters, and more. Leda and the Swan by William Butler Yeats Mimir History, Mythology & Facts | Who is Mimir in Norse Mythology? Apollo & Hyacinthus: Greek Myth & History | Who was Hyacinthus? Leda also bore two children from her husband, King Tyndareus: the twins Castor and Pollux. Help our mission to provide free history education to the world! This is definitely not the case in Yeats's graphic version. The myth of Leda with the swan has inspired artists and poets for centuries. Updates? Retrieved from, collection of Philippe II, Duke of Orlans, Section 63 of the Criminal Justice and Immigration Act 2008, The Metropolitan Museum of Art Special Exhibitions: Poets, Lovers, and Heroes in Italian Mythological Prints, "Fresco depicting erotic scene uncovered in Pompeii ruins", Bacchiacca (Francesco d'Ubertino): Leda and the Swan | Work of Art | Timeline of Art History | The Metropolitan Museum of Art, "Being So Caught up: Exploring Religious Projection and Ethical Appeal in Leda and the Swan", "The monument of the Dioscuri in Stoupa was inaugurated", "Troubled Blood | Latest Crime Novel By Robert Galbraith", https://twitter.com/dior/status/1407081359496167428, Version of Leda and the Swan myth, in the "Fabulae" of Hyginus, Bas relief from the British Museum that appears as the scene does in the Yeats sonnet. In Greek mythology, Leda is the wife of King Tyndareus and queen of Sparta. Kitsune History, Mythology & Facts | Foxes in Japanese Folklore. Helen is also sometimes excluded from the story, and described as the daughter of Nemesis, the goddess who personified the disaster that awaited those suffering from the pride of Hubris. Ullr Origins & Mythology | Who is the Norse God of Snow?