Poetry · Chapter
Charmides explained
The chapter recounts the story of Charmides, a beautiful youth who, after a forbidden night with a statue of Athena, flees at dawn and is discovered by wood-nymphs and satyrs.
What happens
The chapter recounts the story of Charmides, a beautiful youth who, after a forbidden night with a statue of Athena, flees at dawn and is discovered by wood-nymphs and satyrs. In the underworld, he encounters Persephone and experiences a passionate reunion. The narrative blends classical mythology, sensuality, and themes of desire, mortality, and divine retribution.
Themes in this chapter
Beauty and Aesthetics
The chapter celebrates physical beauty through descriptions of Charmides and the statue, emphasizing aesthetic pleasure.
Love and Loss
Charmides' passionate encounters are tinged with loss, as he is in the underworld and separated from the living world.
Transience and Mortality
The fleeting nature of love and life is underscored by Charmides' death and his brief reunion with Persephone.
Classical Mythology and Antiquity
The narrative is steeped in classical myths, featuring gods, nymphs, and the underworld.
Characters to notice
- Charmides
The young protagonist who lies with Athena's statue and later meets Persephone in Hades.
- Athena
Goddess whose statue is violated by Charmides in her temple.
- Persephone
Queen of the underworld who grants Charmides a passionate encounter in Hades.
- Poseidon
Sea god feared by the satyr and mentioned in the nymph's fantasy.
- The Dryads
Wood-nymphs who discover Charmides' body and react with fear or desire.
- Eros
God of love who laughs upon the flowerless mead during Charmides' union.
- Narcissus
Mentioned by woodmen as a possible identity for the beautiful youth.
- Young Hylas
Mentioned by woodmen as another possible identity for the youth.
Key passages
“And when at dawn the wood-nymphs, hand-in-hand, Threaded the bosky dell, their satyr spied The boy’s pale body stretched upon the sand”
At dawn, the wood-nymphs walked through the wooded valley holding hands, and a satyr noticed the boy's pale body lying on the sand.
Describes the discovery of Charmides' body by mythological beings.
“And all his hoarded sweets were hers to kiss, And all her maidenhood was his to slay, And limb to limb in long and rapturous bliss Their passion waxed and waned”
He gave her all his stored affection, and she surrendered her virginity to him, as they experienced prolonged ecstasy together.
Depicts the consummation of love between Charmides and Persephone in the underworld.
“Ready for death he stood, but lo! the air Grew silent, and the horses ceased to neigh, And off his brow he tossed the clustering hair, And from his limbs he throw the cloak away; For whom would not such love make desperate?”
He stood prepared to die, but suddenly the air became quiet and the horses stopped neighing; he threw back his hair and removed his cloak, driven by desperate love.
Shows Charmides' boldness in approaching the statue of Athena despite the danger.
