Archetypes in Apollo and Daphne
Apollo and Daphne: The Metamorphosis Archetype
Life is all about changes. Every single person goes through changes that are either positive and/or negative in their lives. Changes in life come for many reasons and the metamorphosis archetype give the tools for explaining these changes. In the story “Apollo and Daphne” a Greek myth translated by Rolfe Humphries, the reader can identify the changes that can be explained by the metamorphosis archetype.
The metamorphosis archetype “is a ‘two-way street’; the change can be positive and/or negative” (class notes). When Cupid shoots his arrows at Apollo and Daphne they both have a change of heart about love, “at once he loved and she at once fled from the name of lover” (178). While Apollo now loves and wants to be married, Daphne runs away from the thought of love. The changes seen in these characters can be viewed both positive and negative for each. Apollo changes from being a tough warrior to someone with a kind and loving heart. However this change can also be viewed negatively, in the sense that his newfound love for Daphne is his only priority. Daphne on the other hand changes into someone who is incapable of love. This incapability drives her to run away from love itself, which is a negative change.
“Metamorphosis stories defy the long list of human limitations; they allow humans to do and be things thought impossible” (class notes). In the story the character Daphne is not able to love and Apollo can only think about love due to Cupid’s arrow. Once Apollo laid his eyes upon Daphne he was instantly in love. His love drove him to confess his feeling towards her, which caused Daphne to feel frightened and run away from the scene. While running away in fear Daphne asks the river to “change and destroy the body” (108). This resulted in Daphne turning into a tree “her hair was leaves, her arms were branches, and her speedy feet rooted and held” (181). A human asking for help from a river and
Life is all about changes. Every single person goes through changes that are either positive and/or negative in their lives. Changes in life come for many reasons and the metamorphosis archetype give the tools for explaining these changes. In the story “Apollo and Daphne” a Greek myth translated by Rolfe Humphries, the reader can identify the changes that can be explained by the metamorphosis archetype.
The metamorphosis archetype “is a ‘two-way street’; the change can be positive and/or negative” (class notes). When Cupid shoots his arrows at Apollo and Daphne they both have a change of heart about love, “at once he loved and she at once fled from the name of lover” (178). While Apollo now loves and wants to be married, Daphne runs away from the thought of love. The changes seen in these characters can be viewed both positive and negative for each. Apollo changes from being a tough warrior to someone with a kind and loving heart. However this change can also be viewed negatively, in the sense that his newfound love for Daphne is his only priority. Daphne on the other hand changes into someone who is incapable of love. This incapability drives her to run away from love itself, which is a negative change.
“Metamorphosis stories defy the long list of human limitations; they allow humans to do and be things thought impossible” (class notes). In the story the character Daphne is not able to love and Apollo can only think about love due to Cupid’s arrow. Once Apollo laid his eyes upon Daphne he was instantly in love. His love drove him to confess his feeling towards her, which caused Daphne to feel frightened and run away from the scene. While running away in fear Daphne asks the river to “change and destroy the body” (108). This resulted in Daphne turning into a tree “her hair was leaves, her arms were branches, and her speedy feet rooted and held” (181). A human asking for help from a river and