Shakespeare's Myths

The Merchant of Venice (c.1596-1697), III.ii.53-60:

Portia:                   Now he goes,

With no less presence, but with much more love

Than young Alcides, when he did redeem

The virgin tribute paid by howling Troy

To the sea-monster. I stand for sacrifice.

The rest aloof are the Dardanian wives,

With blearèd visages come forth to view

The issue of th’exploit. Go, Hercules!

 

Troilus and Cressida (c.1603), II.ii.75-79:

Troilus:          He [Paris] touched the ports desired,

And for an old aunt whom the Greeks held captive

He brought a Grecian queen, whose youth and freshness

Wrinkles Apollo’s and makes stale the morning.

Why keep we her? The Grecians keep our aunt.

 

Troilus and Cressida (c.1603), IV.vii.16-19:

Hector:       But the just gods gainsay

That any drop thou borrowed’st from thy mother,

My sacred aunt, should by my mortal sword

Be drained. 

 

 

How to cite

Atsuhiko Hirota.  “Hesione.”  2013.  In A Dictionary of Shakespeare's Classical Mythology  (2009-), ed. Yves Peyré. http://www.shakmyth.org/myth/258/hesione/occurrences+in+shakespeare

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