Bulfinch’s Mythology · Chapter
Thamyris explained
Thamyris, an ancient Thracian bard, presumptuously challenged the Muses to a contest of skill.
What happens
Thamyris, an ancient Thracian bard, presumptuously challenged the Muses to a contest of skill. After being defeated, the Muses punished him by taking away his sight. Milton references Thamyris among other blind bards when reflecting on his own blindness in Paradise Lost, Book III.
Themes in this chapter
Hubris and Divine Retribution
Thamyris's presumption in challenging the Muses leads to his punishment of blindness, exemplifying the consequences of overstepping mortal limits.
Characters to notice
- Ovid
Referenced as the source for the story of Thamyris challenging the Muses.
Key passages
“An ancient Thracian bard, who in his presumption challenged the Muses to a trial of skill, and being overcome in the contest, was deprived by them of his sight.”
Thamyris, a bard from Thrace, arrogantly dared to compete against the Muses. After losing, the Muses blinded him as punishment.
Summarizes the core myth of Thamyris's hubris and its consequence.
“Milton alludes to him with other blind bards, when speaking of his own blindness, Paradise Lost , Book III , 35.”
John Milton references Thamyris alongside other blind poets in Paradise Lost, Book III, when describing his own loss of sight.
Connects the myth to Milton's personal experience and literary tradition.