# T explained — Bulfinch’s Mythology

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

## What happens

This chapter provides brief entries on various mythological, historical, and geographical names beginning with the letter T, including figures from Greek, Roman, Norse, and Arthurian legend, as well as places and concepts.

## Themes in this chapter

### Mortality and Immortality

The punishment of Tantalus in Hades and the imprisonment of the Titans and Typhon under Mt. Aetna reflect themes of mortality and divine retribution.

### Heroism and the Quest

Theseus is described as a great hero of many adventures, and Tristram is noted as one of Arthur's knights, embodying the questing hero.

## Character check-ins

### Tristram

Mentioned as one of Arthur's knights, husband of Isoude of the White Hands, lover of Isoude the Fair.

### Theseus

Described as son of Aegeus and Aethra, King of Athens, a great hero of many adventures.

### Thor

Identified as the thunderer of Norse mythology, most popular of the gods.

### Turnus

Noted as chief of the Rutulianes in Italy, unsuccessful rival of Aeneas for Lavinia.

### Sir Launcelot

Referenced as the slayer of Sir Turquine, a great knight and foe of Arthur.

### King Mark

Mentioned as the King of Cornwall, whose residence was the castle of Tintadel.

### Ulysses

Referenced in the entry on Thrinakia, where his men killed Hyperion's cattle and their ship was wrecked.

### Perseus

Mentioned in the entry on Thescelus, a foe turned to stone by the sight of the Gorgon's head.

## Key lines

> Tantalus (Tanˈta-lus), wicked king, punished in Hades by standing in water that retired when he would drink, under fruit-trees that withdrew when he would eat.

Tantalus, a wicked king, was condemned in Hades to stand in water that receded when he tried to drink, beneath fruit trees that pulled away when he reached for food.

_Describes the eternal punishment of Tantalus._

> Thrinakia (Thri-naˈki-a), island pasturing Hyperion’s cattle, where Ulysses landed, but, his men killing some cattle for food, their ship was wrecked by lightning.

Thrinakia is the island where Hyperion's cattle grazed; Ulysses landed there, but after his men killed some cattle for food, their ship was destroyed by lightning.

_Recounts the episode of Ulysses' crew slaying the cattle of the sun._

## Links

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