Theme of Love in Venus and Adonis

Theme of Love in Venus and Adonis

Here we have the love story to end all love stories. The goddess of love herself falls in love with the sexiest man alive. Like many Greek and Roman myths, however, there's a healthy dose of tragedy mixed in with all that romance. From Adonis' mother's shameful pregnancy, to her son's bloody death, to Venus' sorrow at Adonis' passing, the tale of "Venus and Adonis" not only shows the blissful side of love, but also the pain that love can bring.

Questions About Love

  1. Venus was scratched by Cupid's arrow, so does that take away from the "realness" of her love for Adonis? Why, or why not?
  2. Do you think Myrrha truly loved her father? Why, or why not?
  3. Which do think Adonis loved more, Venus or hunting? Why do you think so?
  4. Both Myrrha's and Venus' love stories end in tragedy. Why do you think that is? How would each story be different if it had a happy ending? What would a happy ending even look like?