APOLLO and DAPHNE
by Jean Lang · from A Book of Myths
Adapted Version
Long ago, Apollo was a strong god. He loved to shoot his bow and arrow.
Apollo was a strong god. He liked to shoot his bow. He saw little Eros. Eros had a small bow. Apollo said, "Your bow is small. You make people like each other. That is your job." Apollo laughed.
Eros felt a little sad. He felt a little angry. He said, "My arrows are strong! My arrows can hit you!" Eros picked arrows. One arrow was shiny gold. One arrow was dull lead.
Eros shot Apollo. The gold arrow hit Apollo. Apollo felt happy. He wanted to be with Daphne. Eros shot Daphne. The lead arrow hit Daphne. Daphne wanted to be alone. She did not want friends.
Apollo saw Daphne. He wanted to play with her. He wanted to be her friend. Daphne loved to run. She played alone in the forest. She did not want to play. She did not want Apollo.
Apollo ran after Daphne. He called her name. "Daphne! Daphne! Please stop!" He wanted her to play. He really wanted her.
Daphne ran very fast. She did not want Apollo. She did not want to play. She wanted to be alone. She ran as fast as she could.
Apollo ran very fast too. He came closer to Daphne. He came closer. Daphne saw him coming. She felt very tired.
Daphne ran to a river. It was a big river. Her father was Peneus. Peneus was a river god. She called out loud. "Father! Help me! I want to be safe!"
Apollo reached out his hand. A magic change happened. Daphne's skin turned to bark. Her arms became green branches. Her hair became green leaves. Her feet grew into the ground. She was a beautiful tree.
Apollo felt a little sad. He saw the lovely tree. He hugged the tree gently. He said, "You are my special tree. Your leaves will crown winners. Your leaves will crown poets."
And so, Daphne became a beautiful laurel tree. Apollo always remembered her. Her leaves became a sign for winners and poets.
Original Story
APOLLO AND DAPHNE
Conqueror of all conquerable earth, yet not always victorious over the heart of a maid was the golden-locked Apollo.
As mischievous Eros played one day with his bow and arrows, Apollo beheld him and spoke to him mockingly.
“What hast thou to do with the weapons of war, saucy lad?” he said. “Leave them for hands such as mine, that know full well how to wield them. Content thyself with thy torch, and kindle flames, if indeed thou canst, but such bolts as thy white young arms can drive will surely not bring scathe to god nor to man.”
Then did the son of Aphrodite answer, and as he made answer he laughed aloud in his glee. “With thine arrows thou mayst strike all things else, great Apollo, a shaft of mine shall surely strike thy heart!”
Carefully, then, did Eros choose two arrows from his quiver. One, sharp-pointed and of gold, he fitted carefully to his bow, drew back the string until it was taut, and then let fly the arrow, that did not miss its mark, but flew straight to the heart of the sun-god. With the other arrow, blunt, and tipped with lead, he smote the beautiful Daphne, daughter of Peneus, the river-god. And then, full joyously did the boy-god laugh, for his roguish heart knew well that to him who was struck by the golden shaft must come the last pangs that have proved many a man’s and many a god’s undoing, while that leaden-tipped arrow meant to whomsoever it struck, a hatred of Love and an immunity from all the heart weakness that Love can bring. Those were the days when Apollo was young. Never before had he loved.
But as the first fierce storm that assails it bends the young, supple tree with its green budding leaves before its furious blast, so did the first love of Apollo bend low his adoring heart. All day as he held the golden reins of his chariot, until evening when its fiery wheels were cooled in the waters of the western seas, he thought of Daphne. All night he dreamed of her. But never did there come to Daphne a time when she loved Love for Love’s sake. Never did she look with gentle eye on the golden-haired god whose face was as the face of all the exquisite things that the sunlight shows, remembered in a dream. Her only passion was a passion for the chase. One of Diana’s nymphs was she, cold and pure and white in soul as the virgin goddess herself.
There came a day when Apollo could no longer put curbing hands on his fierce longing. The flames from his chariot still lingered in reflected glories on sea and hill and sky. The very leaves of the budding trees of spring were outlined in gold. And through the dim wood walked Daphne, erect and lithe and living as a sapling in the early spring.
With beseeching hands, Apollo followed her. A god was he, yet to him had come the vast humility of passionate intercession for the gift of love to a little nymph. She heard his steps behind her and turned round, proud and angry that one should follow her when she had not willed it.
“Stay!” he said, “daughter of Peneus. No foe am I, but thine own humble lover. To thee alone do I bow my head. To all others on earth am I conqueror and king.”
But Daphne, hating his words of passionate love, sped on. And when his passion lent wings to his feet and she heard him gaining on her as she fled, not as a lover did Daphne look on deathless Apollo, but as a hateful foe. More swiftly than she had ever run beside her mistress Diana, leaving the flying winds behind her as she sped, ran Daphne now. But ever did Apollo gain upon her, and almost had he grasped her when she reached the green banks of the river of which her father, Peneus, was god.
“Help me, Peneus!” she cried. “Save me, oh my father, from him whose love I fear!”
As she spoke the arms of Apollo seized her, yet, even as his arms met around her waist, lissome and slight as a young willow, Daphne the nymph was Daphne the nymph no longer. Her fragrant hair, her soft white arms, her tender body all changed as the sun-god touched them. Her feet took root in the soft, damp earth by the river. Her arms sprouted into woody branches and green leaves. Her face vanished, and the bark of a big tree enclosed her snow-white body. Yet Apollo did not take away his embrace from her who had been his dear first love. He knew that her cry to Peneus her father had been answered, yet he said, “Since thou canst not be my bride, at least thou shalt be my tree; my hair, my lyre, my quiver shall have thee always, oh laurel tree of the Immortals!”
So do we still speak of laurels won, and worn by those of deathless fame, and still does the first love of Apollo crown the heads of those whose gifts have fitted them to dwell with the dwellers on Olympus.
“I espouse thee for my tree:
Be thou the prize of honour and renown;
The deathless poet, and the poem, crown;
Thou shalt the Roman festivals adorn,
And, after poets, be by victors worn.”
Ovid (Dryden’s translation).
Story DNA
Plot Summary
Apollo, a proud god, mocks Eros, who retaliates by shooting Apollo with a golden arrow of love and the nymph Daphne with a lead arrow of aversion. Apollo becomes consumed with love for Daphne, who, hating all forms of love, flees from his advances. As Apollo relentlessly pursues her, Daphne, exhausted, cries out to her father, the river-god Peneus, for help. Just as Apollo catches her, Peneus transforms Daphne into a laurel tree. Heartbroken, Apollo declares the laurel his sacred tree, forever associating it with honor and victory.
Themes
Emotional Arc
pride to humility to sorrow
Writing Style
Narrative Elements
Cultural Context
This story is a foundational myth explaining the origin of the laurel tree's significance and Apollo's association with it, deeply embedded in classical Roman literature and culture.
Plot Beats (10)
- Apollo, a mighty god, mocks Eros for playing with weapons of war, suggesting Eros stick to kindling love.
- Eros, in retaliation, boasts that his arrows can strike Apollo's heart and chooses two special arrows.
- Eros shoots Apollo with a golden arrow, causing him to fall deeply in love, and Daphne with a lead arrow, instilling in her a hatred of love.
- Apollo becomes consumed with desire for Daphne, who is a chaste nymph devoted to the hunt and averse to all forms of love.
- Apollo, unable to control his longing, pursues Daphne through the woods, pleading with her.
- Daphne, seeing Apollo as a hateful foe, flees from him with all her might.
- Apollo gains on Daphne, his passion giving him speed, and she realizes she cannot escape.
- Daphne reaches the river of her father, Peneus, and cries out for his help to save her from Apollo's love.
- As Apollo's arms seize her, Daphne is instantly transformed into a laurel tree.
- Apollo, though heartbroken, embraces the tree and declares it his sacred plant, to be used for his hair, lyre, and quiver, and to crown heroes and poets.
Characters
Apollo ★ protagonist
A powerful, athletic god with a radiant presence. His build is strong and lean, reflecting his divine nature and skill with weapons. He is described as a 'conqueror of all conquerable earth'.
Attire: Implied to be regal and divine, though not explicitly detailed. As a sun-god, his attire would likely be flowing, made of fine, possibly golden or white fabrics, befitting an Olympian deity. He is associated with a chariot, lyre, and quiver.
Wants: To win Daphne's love and make her his bride. After her transformation, his motivation shifts to eternalizing her memory and making her a symbol of honor.
Flaw: Vulnerable to Eros's golden arrow, which makes him fall uncontrollably in love. His pride is also a weakness, as seen in his initial taunting of Eros.
Begins as an arrogant, unloving god who mocks Eros. He is then struck by love, becoming humble and passionately devoted. After Daphne's transformation, he accepts her new form and dedicates her as a symbol of eternal fame, showing a capacity for enduring, if unrequited, love.
Mocking, proud, passionate, persistent, adoring, humble (in love), possessive. He is initially arrogant towards Eros but becomes deeply smitten and desperate in his pursuit of Daphne.
Image Prompt & Upload
A young adult male god, standing upright, facing forward, full body visible from head to toe. He has a powerful, lean, athletic build, fair skin, and a noble, classically handsome face with bright, intense eyes. His long, wavy golden hair flows around his shoulders. He wears a flowing, white chiton made of fine linen, draped elegantly, with a golden sash at the waist. He holds a golden lyre in his left hand and a quiver of arrows is slung over his back. His expression is one of passionate longing and slight sorrow. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
Daphne ◆ supporting
Beautiful, slender, and graceful, described as 'lissome and slight as a young willow' and 'erect and lithe and living as a sapling'. Her body is 'tender' and 'snow-white'.
Attire: As one of Diana's nymphs, she would likely wear simple, practical attire suitable for the chase, such as a short chiton or tunic made of light fabric, allowing for freedom of movement. It would be modest and unadorned, reflecting her purity and aversion to love.
Wants: To remain chaste and free from love, to preserve her independence, and to escape Apollo's pursuit.
Flaw: Her extreme aversion to love, caused by Eros's leaden arrow, leads her to reject Apollo and ultimately transform.
Begins as a chaste, love-hating nymph devoted to the chase. She is relentlessly pursued by Apollo and, to escape his embrace, transforms into a laurel tree, thus preserving her purity but losing her human form.
Cold, pure, chaste, independent, fearful of love, determined, proud, angry when pursued. Her sole passion is the chase.
Image Prompt & Upload
A young adult female nymph, standing upright, facing forward, full body visible from head to toe. She has a slender, lithe, and graceful build, with fair, 'snow-white' skin. Her face is beautiful with a determined and fearful expression. Her long, fragrant hair is loose and flowing. She wears a simple, knee-length, light green linen chiton, unadorned, allowing for ease of movement. Her posture is one of swift flight, with her arms slightly bent as if running. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
Eros ⚔ antagonist
A 'saucy lad' with 'white young arms', implying a youthful, cherubic, yet mischievous appearance. He is small enough for Apollo to mock his ability to wield weapons of war.
Attire: As a god of love, he is often depicted with minimal clothing, perhaps a light tunic or simply a sash, to emphasize his youth and freedom. He carries a bow and quiver.
Wants: To assert his power over Apollo after being mocked, and to demonstrate that even the greatest gods are susceptible to love (or its absence).
Flaw: His pride can be easily provoked by mockery.
Remains consistent throughout the story, acting as the catalyst for the main conflict between Apollo and Daphne. He does not change.
Mischievous, saucy, gleeful, roguish, retaliatory, precise in his actions. He delights in proving Apollo wrong and causing divine drama.
Image Prompt & Upload
A young male child god, standing upright, facing forward, full body visible from head to toe. He has a cherubic, youthful build with fair skin and soft features, and a mischievous, gleeful expression. His hair is light and curly. He wears a simple, short, white linen tunic, tied at one shoulder. He holds a small, ornate bow in his left hand and a quiver of arrows is slung over his right shoulder. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
Peneus ○ minor
As a river-god, his form might be fluid or powerful, embodying the river itself. Not explicitly described, but would possess a divine, perhaps ancient, presence.
Attire: Implied to be simple, perhaps flowing robes made of natural elements, or simply his divine form as a river.
Wants: To save his daughter Daphne from Apollo's unwanted advances.
Flaw: Not applicable in this brief appearance.
Appears only to grant Daphne's wish for transformation, remaining a static character.
Protective, responsive to his daughter's plea.
Image Prompt & Upload
An elderly male river-god, standing upright, facing forward, full body visible from head to toe. He has a powerful, muscular build, with skin that appears like wet stone or earth. His long, flowing beard and hair are green and adorned with reeds and water plants. His eyes are deep blue, like a river. He wears a simple, flowing tunic made of dark, mossy fabric, and water appears to swirl around his lower body. His expression is one of ancient wisdom and protective power. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
Locations
A Dim Wood
A forest with budding trees of spring, their leaves outlined in gold by the lingering light of Apollo's chariot. The ground is likely soft earth, suitable for running.
Mood: Tense, urgent, romantic pursuit
Apollo pursues Daphne through this wood, declaring his love and her rejecting it.
Image Prompt & Upload
Golden hour light streams through a dense, ancient Greek forest of budding oak and olive trees, casting long shadows. The forest floor is a tapestry of emerging green undergrowth and scattered dry leaves, with patches of wildflowers. The air is warm and still, with a sense of urgent movement. no border, no frame, no watermark, no text, no signature, edge-to-edge illustration.
Green Banks of the River Peneus
The lush, verdant edge of a river, with soft, damp earth where Daphne's feet take root. The river itself is implied to be a significant body of water, as its god is Peneus.
Mood: Desperate, transformative, sacred
Daphne reaches the river and cries out to her father, Peneus, for help, leading to her transformation into a laurel tree.
Image Prompt & Upload
The verdant, mossy banks of a wide, slow-moving river in ancient Greece, with clear, cool water reflecting the golden hour sky. Lush reeds and wild irises grow along the water's edge, and the ground is soft, damp earth. A young laurel tree, with smooth bark and glossy green leaves, stands prominently at the bank. no border, no frame, no watermark, no text, no signature, edge-to-edge illustration.
