Galatea and Pygmalion
Pygmalion had the worst luck dating women; some were rude, others selfish. He was revolted by these faults. Eventually came to despise the female gender so much he vowed he would never marry. This discovery left him depressed so he turned to the arts and took up sculpting. He carved a statue out of ivory that was so exquisite and beautiful no living female could compare. Pygmalion fell in love with his statue and often laid hands upon her to reassure himself she was not real. He named her Galatea. At festival of Aphrodite Pygmalion stood by the altar and prayed “If you gods can give all things, may I have as my wife, one like the ivory maiden.” Aphrodite heard his pleas. When Pygmalion returned home he kissed Galatea which apparently was a common custom for him. The warmth of her skin and lips surprised him……(fill in the blank)………………. Aphrodite blessed the union of this couple with a child which they named Paphos. Main Conflict: Pygmalion had recognized the faults in human kind especially women and unwilling to overlook them, fell in love with a statue, which would be a problem in the real world…………
Themes: Mans Power over Women: Pygmalion doesn't like the real women in his town, so what does he do? He chooses to custom-make one according to his own preferences. The message here is that the best women are silent, obedient, and physically perfect
Obsession and Self Denial: common theme in greek mythology: if you reject something you find yourself wanting it more. Rejects women: becomes obsessed with women .
Examples: Not so much exactly like the story: more symbolic: shaping and influencing the women to be exactly as you like. The most recognized version of this story nowadays is probably the musical My Fair Lady (which, incidentally, was based on the George Bernard Shaw play Pygmalion): Professor Henry Higgins teaches the poor, lower-class Eliza Doolittle to act and — especially — talk like an upper-class lady, on a bet with a friend. He eventually
Themes: Mans Power over Women: Pygmalion doesn't like the real women in his town, so what does he do? He chooses to custom-make one according to his own preferences. The message here is that the best women are silent, obedient, and physically perfect
Obsession and Self Denial: common theme in greek mythology: if you reject something you find yourself wanting it more. Rejects women: becomes obsessed with women .
Examples: Not so much exactly like the story: more symbolic: shaping and influencing the women to be exactly as you like. The most recognized version of this story nowadays is probably the musical My Fair Lady (which, incidentally, was based on the George Bernard Shaw play Pygmalion): Professor Henry Higgins teaches the poor, lower-class Eliza Doolittle to act and — especially — talk like an upper-class lady, on a bet with a friend. He eventually