Desire

Definition

Desire refers to a deep feeling of wanting or longing for something, which can drive actions and decisions. In the context of myths, desire often motivates characters, leading to conflicts, choices, and transformations that shape the narrative. It can manifest as romantic attraction, ambition for power, or a yearning for knowledge, highlighting the complexities of human emotion and the consequences that arise from it.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. In the story of the Judgment of Paris, desire plays a critical role as Paris's choice among the three goddesses is motivated by his longing for beauty and love.
2. The Golden Apple, inscribed with 'To the fairest,' symbolizes not just beauty but also the competitive nature of desire among the goddesses.
3. Aphrodite’s promise to Paris includes the love of Helen, highlighting how desire can lead to personal choices that have wider implications, such as the onset of war.
4. The concept of desire in this myth showcases how it can blind individuals to rationality, as Paris acts impulsively based on his attraction rather than considering the consequences.
5. Desire in this narrative ultimately triggers a series of events that culminate in the Trojan War, illustrating how personal emotions can have vast and destructive impacts.

Review Questions

• How does desire influence Paris's decision in the Judgment of Paris?
  • Desire significantly influences Paris's decision as he is compelled to choose one goddess over the others based on their offers. His longing for beauty leads him to select Aphrodite after she promises him the love of Helen. This choice illustrates how strong desires can cloud judgment and lead to important, life-altering decisions that echo throughout mythology.
• Discuss the consequences of desire as depicted through the actions of the characters involved in the Judgment of Paris.
  • The consequences of desire are profound in the Judgment of Paris, as Paris’s choice sets off a chain reaction that leads to the Trojan War. Each goddess's desire for recognition and superiority results in jealousy and rivalry. The myth showcases how personal desires can escalate into large-scale conflicts, affecting not only individuals but entire nations.
• Evaluate how desire intertwines with themes of fate and choice in Greek mythology, using examples from the Judgment of Paris.
  • Desire intertwines with themes of fate and choice by illustrating how individual longings can both align with and oppose predetermined outcomes. In the Judgment of Paris, his desire leads him to make a choice that seemingly fulfills his wishes but ultimately sets him on a path toward tragedy and war. This reflects a recurring motif in Greek mythology where characters’ desires are significant yet often lead to unforeseen fates, emphasizing the tension between personal agency and destiny.

Related terms

Aphrodite:

The Greek goddess of love and beauty, representing desire in both its romantic and physical aspects.

Hubris: Excessive pride or self-confidence that often leads characters to act on their desires without considering the consequences.

Fate: The predetermined course of events in mythology, which can intertwine with desire to show how personal wishes may conflict with destiny.