# Cephalus and Procris explained — Bulfinch’s Mythology

> Chapter companion for Bulfinch’s Mythology by Thomas Bulfinch.

## What happens

Cephalus, a beautiful youth devoted to hunting, is loved by Aurora but remains faithful to his wife Procris. Procris, favored by Diana, gives him a magical dog and javelin. After a race between the dog Lelaps and a ravaging fox ends in both being turned to stone, Cephalus continues hunting alone, often calling for a 'breeze' to cool him. A passerby misinterprets his words, leading Procris to spy on him. Mistaking her for an animal, Cephalus throws his javelin and fatally wounds her. Before dying, Procris begs him not to marry the 'Breeze,' revealing the misunderstanding.

## Themes in this chapter

### Love and Transformation

The deep love between Cephalus and Procris is ultimately transformed by jealousy and misunderstanding, leading to a tragic metamorphosis of their relationship and Procris's death.

### Jealousy and Revenge

Procris's jealousy, sparked by a false report, drives her to spy on Cephalus, resulting in her accidental death—a tragic consequence of unfounded suspicion.

### Fate and Free Will

Despite Cephalus's faithfulness and Procris's gifts, a series of misunderstandings and coincidences lead to an inescapable tragic outcome, highlighting the interplay of choice and destiny.

## Character check-ins

### Cephalus

A beautiful youth and devoted hunter, married to Procris; his love for his wife leads him to resist Aurora, but a tragic misunderstanding causes him to accidentally kill Procris.

### Procris

Cephalus's wife, favored by Diana; she gives her husband a magical dog and javelin, but jealousy over a misinterpreted remark leads to her death.

### Aurora

The dawn goddess who falls in love with Cephalus and steals him away; she dismisses him in displeasure when he remains faithful to Procris.

### Diana

Goddess of hunting who gave Procris the magical dog and javelin as gifts.

## Key lines

> Cephalus was a beautiful youth and fond of manly sports. He would rise before the dawn to pursue the chase. Aurora saw him when she first looked forth, fell in love with him, and stole him away.

Cephalus, a handsome young man who loved hunting, would get up before sunrise. The dawn goddess Aurora saw him, fell in love, and abducted him.

_Introduces Cephalus's character and Aurora's initial intervention._

> Procris, at the sudden shock, fainted away. Presently recovering, she said, 'It cannot be true; I will not believe it unless I myself am a witness to it.'

Procris was so shocked by the news that she fainted. When she came to, she resolved to see for herself whether her husband was unfaithful.

_Shows Procris's credulity and determination to verify the rumor._

> She opened her feeble eyes, and forced herself to utter these few words: 'I implore you, if you have ever loved me, if I have ever deserved kindness at your hands, my husband, grant me this last request; do not marry that odious Breeze!'

With her last strength, Procris begged Cephalus not to marry the 'Breeze,' revealing her misunderstanding of his words.

_Climactic moment where the tragic misunderstanding is voiced._

## Links

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