Daphne+and+Apollo

__Daphne and Apollo __ Jenny Kim, Van Jones, Tyler Clark

The story of Daphne and Apollo is a tragic love story. Apollo, god of the arts especially in poetry, music, and dance, had recently slain a python with an arrow. When he saw Eros playing with his bow and arrow, he conceitedly mocked the little boy, for no such little boy could make use of the weapon as he, the great god Apollo, had done. Filled with contempt, Eros struck Apollo with his own powerful arrows. Apollo was ill-fatedly struck by Eros' arrow to fall in love with Daphne, a river nymph while Daphne was struck by Eros' arrow that repelled love. In the end, Apollo incessantly chased Daphne around, while Daphne continued to run away from him. She transformed into a laurel tree to avoid the grasp of Apollo; Apollo in turn decided to wear a crown of laurel leaves as a symbol of his love for Daphne.

Place in Literature Daphne and Apollo represent the misfortunes of forbidden love. They represent the passions of love for one who does not love them back. They can be seen in many romantic stories. In addition, Apollo's attitude towards Eros symbolizes mistaken arrogance, and is usually the event that causes the abundance of misfortunes to come. Feelings of regret for formerly haughty actions are references to Apollo's behavior. And because Daphne was Apollo's first "love," he treats her with the utmost respect, despite the fact that she does not love him back. This can be seen numerous times in literature - across texts, movies, and novels - where the notion of one's first love is lauded and exaggerated.

Perhaps the most famous allusion to Daphne and Apollo is apparent in Shakespeare's //Midsummer Night's Dream//. Helena is madly in love with Demetrius, yet, Demetrius is madly in love with Hermia. There is no hope for her to be with Demetrius, but with Puck's magic, Demetrius is spellbound to fall in love with Hermia and all turns well. In the following passage, direct connections can be made to compare the story of Helena and Demetrius with Daphne and Apollo. (However, Helena is to Apollo and Demetrius is to Daphne.) Helena is forever chasing Demetrius around, oblivious to the fact that he is in love with Hermia, while Demetrius is continually running away from Helena.
 * Allusions to Daphne and Apollo

> //"The wildest hath not such a heart as you.// > //Run when you will, the story shall be changed:// > //** Apollo ** flies, and ** Daphne ** holds the chase;// > //The dove pursues the griffin; the mild hind// > //Makes speed to catch the tiger; bootless speed,// > //When cowardice pursues and valour flies."// > **-Helena, //A Midsummer Night's Dream//** || ||

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 * Tip-offs and Examples
 * __// One-sided love; Forbidden love //__ - The most prominent tip-off of Daphne and Apollo's story is the forbidden love Eros inserts into Apollo's life. Apollo will never be able to fulfill his desire for Daphne. While a one-sided love is the outline of Daphne and Apollo, forbidden love can also be inadvertently related to this myth. Popular examples include "Romeo and Juliet", Pyramus and Thisbe, the movie "Pretty Woman", and the fairy tales of Shrek, Cinderella, and Beauty and the Beast.
 * //__Transformation__// - Daphne transforms into a laurel wreath because she cannot avoid Apollo no matter how much she runs away from him. This transformation is seen in many works of literature. In "Pretty Woman", Vivian, a prostitute in California, turns into a classy and decorous woman. In Shrek, Fiona eventually becomes an ogre (other transformations include Shrek becoming a man, Fiona's father turning into a frog). In Cinderella, Cinderella starts out as a poor maid and transforms into the belle of the ball with the fairy godmother's help.
 * __//Eros//__ - Eros, or commonly known as Cupid, is the magic of the story. This sort of magic appears in many stories related to love, whether it be in the form of wealth or a fantastical fairy godmother.
 * //__Laurel Wreath__// - Apollo takes a branch from Daphne, now a laurel tree, and turns it into a symbol of the distinguished arts. This symbol is recognizable in the Olympic Games. It is also commonly the symbol used for film awards, displayed on advertisements and DVD covers. || [[image:http://www.liza-kliko.com/laurel-wreath/images/Image2olympic.jpg]]

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