Bulfinch’s Mythology · Chapter
Pyramus and Thisbe explained
The tragic love story of Pyramus and Thisbe, two Babylonian youths forbidden to marry by their parents.
What happens
The tragic love story of Pyramus and Thisbe, two Babylonian youths forbidden to marry by their parents. They communicate through a crack in the wall and plan to elope, meeting at the Tomb of Ninus under a white mulberry tree. Thisbe arrives first but flees from a lioness, dropping her veil which the lioness tears and bloodies. Pyramus, finding the veil, believes Thisbe is dead and kills himself. Thisbe returns, finds Pyramus dying, and also takes her own life. Their blood stains the mulberries purple forever, and their parents honor their wish to be buried together.
Themes in this chapter
Love and Transformation
The love between Pyramus and Thisbe leads to their tragic deaths and the transformation of white mulberries to purple, symbolizing eternal union.
Fate and Free Will
The lovers' plan to defy their parents' prohibition ends in tragedy, highlighting the interplay of choice and destiny.
Characters to notice
Key passages
“Pyramus was the handsomest youth, and Thisbe the fairest maiden, in all Babylonia, where Semiramis reigned.”
In Babylonia, under Queen Semiramis, Pyramus was the most handsome young man and Thisbe the most beautiful girl.
Introduces the protagonists and setting.
“In the wall that parted the two houses there was a crack, caused by some fault in the structure. No one had remarked it before, but the lovers discovered it. What will not love discover!”
A crack in the wall between their houses, unnoticed by others, was found by the lovers—love finds everything.
Highlights the lovers' resourcefulness and the power of love.
“My blood also shall stain your texture, said he, and drawing his sword plunged it into his heart.”
He declared his blood would dye the veil, then drew his sword and stabbed himself.
Pyramus's fatal act of despair.
“Thy own hand has slain thee, and for my sake, she said. I too can be brave for once, and my love is as strong as thine.”
She said his own hand killed him for her sake, and she would be brave and follow him in death, her love equal to his.
Thisbe's resolve to die with Pyramus.