Bulfinch’s Mythology · Chapter
Baucis and Philemon explained
Jupiter and Mercury, disguised as weary travelers, seek shelter in Phrygia but are turned away by all except the elderly couple Baucis and Philemon, who offer humble hospitality.
What happens
Jupiter and Mercury, disguised as weary travelers, seek shelter in Phrygia but are turned away by all except the elderly couple Baucis and Philemon, who offer humble hospitality. The gods reveal themselves, spare the couple from a flood that destroys the inhospitable village, transform their cottage into a temple, and grant their wish to die together. The couple are turned into intertwined trees.
Themes in this chapter
Hospitality and Its Violation
The chapter contrasts the inhospitable villagers who refuse shelter with Baucis and Philemon, who welcome the disguised gods, leading to divine reward for the couple and punishment for the village.
Love and Transformation
Baucis and Philemon's enduring love is honored by their transformation into intertwined trees, symbolizing their unity in death.
Mortality and Immortality
The couple's wish to die together is granted, yet they achieve a form of immortality through their transformation and continued existence as sacred trees.
Characters to notice
Key passages
“On a certain hill in Phrygia stands a linden tree and an oak, enclosed by a low wall. Not far from the spot is a marsh, formerly good habitable land, but now indented with pools, the resort of fen-birds and cormorants.”
In Phrygia, a linden and an oak tree grow on a hill, surrounded by a low wall. Nearby, a marsh now covers what was once fertile land, filled with pools where water birds gather.
Opening setting describing the transformed landscape.
“They presented themselves, as weary travellers, at many a door, seeking rest and shelter, but found all closed, for it was late, and the inhospitable inhabitants would not rouse themselves to open for their reception.”
The gods, appearing as tired travelers, knocked on many doors asking for rest, but everyone refused to let them in because it was late and the people were unwelcoming.
Illustrates the violation of hospitality by the villagers.
“At last a humble mansion received them, a small thatched cottage, where Baucis, a pious old dame, and her husband Philemon, united when young, had grown old together.”
Finally, a modest thatched cottage opened its doors to them, home to the elderly couple Baucis and Philemon, who had been married since youth and grown old together.
Introduces the hospitable couple.
“Now while the repast proceeded, the old folks were astonished to see that the wine, as fast as it was poured out, renewed itself in the pitcher, of its own accord.”
During the meal, the elderly couple was amazed to see the wine pitcher refill itself automatically as they poured.
The miraculous sign revealing the divine nature of the guests.
“We are gods. This inhospitable village shall pay the penalty of its impiety; you alone shall go free from the chastisement.”
We are gods. This unwelcoming village will be punished for its disrespect; only you will be spared.
Jupiter declares the punishment for the inhospitable villagers.
“We ask to be priests and guardians of this your temple; and since here we have passed our lives in love and concord, we wish that one and the same hour may take us both from life, that I may not live to see her grave, nor be laid in my own by her.”
They request to serve as priests of the temple and to die at the same moment, so neither has to endure the other's death.
Philemon expresses the couple's wish for eternal unity.
