Pyramus and Thisbe

Pyramus and Thisbe are a pair of ill-fated lovers whose story forms part of Ovid's Metamorphoses. The tale is set in Babylon, a city which was divided by a large wall. Pyramus and Thisbe lived in adjoining houses, and over time, they fell deeply in love with each other. However, their parents forbade them from marrying. The couple communicated through a crack in the wall that separated their homes, their love growing stronger in the face of adversity.

One night, they decided to elope, agreeing to meet under a white mulberry tree near the tomb of Ninus. Thisbe arrived first but fled when she saw a lioness, with jaws bloody from a recent kill, approaching the meeting spot. In her haste, she dropped her veil, which the lioness mauled. Pyramus, arriving later and finding Thisbe's bloodied veil but not Thisbe, assumed the worst. Believing Thisbe had been killed by a wild beast, he drew his sword and killed himself. When Thisbe returned and found Pyramus's body, she was overcome with grief and took her own life with the same sword.

The gods, moved by the lovers' plight, changed the color of the mulberry fruits into the dark red to honor their forbidden love. This transformation of the mulberry fruit's color serves as a lasting memorial to their love and tragic end.

The story of Pyramus and Thisbe has been a significant influence on later literature and art, serving as an inspiration for works such as Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet. It is often cited as one of the earliest examples of the archetype of star-crossed lovers.

Themes and Analysis

The tale of Pyramus and Thisbe explores themes of forbidden love, the cruelty of fate, and the tragic consequences of miscommunication. Their story emphasizes the lengths to which love will go to overcome obstacles, even when those obstacles prove insurmountable. Additionally, the transformation of the mulberry fruit's color symbolizes the lasting impact of their love and the permanence of their sacrifice.

Influence on Literature and Art

The influence of Pyramus and Thisbe extends beyond Ovid's Metamorphoses. It has inspired countless works of literature, art, and performance, including operas, paintings, and plays. The most notable of these is arguably Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, which shares many similarities with Ovid's tale, including the theme of forbidden love and the tragic outcome resulting from misunderstandings.

See Also

• Ovid
• Metamorphoses
• Romeo and Juliet
• Star-crossed lovers