Bulfinch’s Mythology · Chapter
Proserpine—Glaucus and Scylla explained
This chapter recounts the myth of Proserpine's abduction by Pluto, Ceres' search for her daughter, and the origin of the seasons.
What happens
This chapter recounts the myth of Proserpine's abduction by Pluto, Ceres' search for her daughter, and the origin of the seasons. It also tells the story of Glaucus, a fisherman turned sea-god, who falls in love with Scylla. When Scylla rejects him, he seeks Circe's help, but Circe, jealous, transforms Scylla into a monster. The chapter includes Keats' poetic retelling of the tale.
Themes in this chapter
Love and Transformation
Pluto's love for Proserpine leads to her abduction and the seasonal cycle; Glaucus's love for Scylla results in her monstrous transformation.
Jealousy and Revenge
Circe's jealousy of Scylla drives her to use magic to punish her rival, transforming her into a monster.
Mortality and Immortality
Ceres attempts to make the mortal boy Triptolemus immortal, but is thwarted by his mother; Glaucus gains immortality as a sea-god but suffers from unrequited love.
Characters to notice
- Proserpine
Daughter of Ceres, abducted by Pluto while gathering flowers in the vale of Enna.
- Ceres
Goddess of agriculture, who searches tirelessly for her daughter Proserpine and later withholds fertility from the land.
- Pluto
God of the underworld, who abducts Proserpine after being struck by Cupid's arrow.
- Glaucus
A fisherman who becomes a sea-god and falls in love with Scylla; seeks Circe's help but is rejected.
- Scylla
A beautiful nymph who rejects Glaucus and is transformed by Circe into a sea monster with barking dogs.
- Circe
Enchantress who, jealous of Scylla, uses magic to transform her into a monster.
Key passages
“In the vale of Enna there is a lake embowered in woods, which screen it from the fervid rays of the sun, while the moist ground is covered with flowers, and Spring reigns perpetual. Here Proserpine was playing with her companions, gathering lilies and violets, and filling her basket and her apron with them, when Pluto saw her, loved her, and carried her off.”
In a secluded, flower-filled valley near Enna, Proserpine was picking flowers with her friends when Pluto saw her, fell in love, and abducted her.
Describes the setting and moment of Proserpine's abduction.
“Ceres sought her daughter all the world over. Bright-haired Aurora, when she came forth in the morning, and Hesperus when he led out the stars in the evening, found her still busy in the search. But it was all unavailing.”
Ceres searched everywhere for her daughter, from dawn to dusk, but could not find her.
Highlights Ceres' relentless and fruitless search for Proserpine.
“Glaucus replied, 'Sooner shall trees grow at the bottom of the ocean, and seaweed on the top of the mountains, than I will cease to love Scylla, and her alone.'”
Glaucus declared that his love for Scylla was eternal and would never end, no matter how impossible the circumstances.
Shows Glaucus's unwavering devotion to Scylla despite her rejection.