# L explained — Bulfinch’s Mythology

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

## What happens

This chapter provides an alphabetical listing of mythological and legendary figures, places, and concepts beginning with the letter 'L', including entries on the Labyrinth, Laocoön, Launcelot, and other notable characters from Greek, Roman, Norse, and Arthurian traditions.

## Themes in this chapter

### Heroism and the Quest

Theseus' slaying of the Minotaur and Launcelot's status as a knight exemplify heroic quests.

### Love and Transformation

Leander's love for Hero, Leda's transformation by Jupiter, and Lotis changed to a lotus plant.

### Mortality and Immortality

References to the Lethe river, Lemures (spirits of the dead), and the Lotus-Eaters' loss of memory.

## Character check-ins

### Theseus

Killed the Minotaur in the Labyrinth with Ariadne's aid.

### Sir Launcelot

Listed as the most famous knight of the Round Table.

### Ulysses

Father Laertes; encountered Laestrygonians and Lotus-Eaters.

### Aeneas

Killed Lausus, son of Mezentius; married Lavinia.

### Jupiter

Wooed Leda in the form of a swan.

### Merlin

Helped Arthur and Laodegan.

### King Arthur

Helped by Merlin; subdued King Lot.

### Loki

The Satan of Norse mythology, son of the giant Farbanti.

## Key lines

> Labyrinth (Labˈy-rinth), the enclosed maze of passageways where roamed the Minotaur of Crete, killed by Theseus with aid of Ariadne.

The Labyrinth was a maze in Crete that housed the Minotaur, whom Theseus killed with help from Ariadne.

_Defines the Labyrinth and Theseus' heroic deed._

> Laocoön (La-ocˈo-on), a priest of Neptune, in Troy, who warned the Trojans against the Wooden Horse, but when two serpents came out of the sea and strangled him and his two sons, the people listened to the Greek spy Sinon, and brought the fatal Horse into the town.

Laocoön, a Trojan priest of Neptune, warned against the Wooden Horse, but after serpents killed him and his sons, the Trojans heeded the Greek spy Sinon and brought the horse inside.

_Recounts the tragic fate of Laocoön and the fall of Troy._

> Lotus-Eaters (Loˈtus-Eaters), soothed to indolence; companions of Ulysses landing among them lost all memory of home and had to be dragged away before they would continue their voyage.

The Lotus-Eaters induced lethargy; Ulysses' men who ate the lotus forgot their homeland and had to be forcibly taken back to the ships.

_Describes the encounter with the Lotus-Eaters from the Odyssey._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/l
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters