The Myth of Phaethon

2. The Myth of Phaethon • PHAETHON was a young son of Helios and Klymene who begged his father to let him drive the chariot of the sun. The Sun-god reluctantly conceded to the boy's wishes and handed him the reigns. However, the inexperienced Phaethon quickly lost control of the immortal steeds, and the sun-chariot veered out of control setting the earth aflame, scorching the plains of Africa to desert. Zeus was appalled by the destruction and struck the boy from the chariot with a thunderbolt, hurling his flaming body into the waters of the river Eridanos. His sisters, the Heliades, gathered on the banks, and in their mourning with transformed into amber-teared poplar trees. • After his death Phaethon was placed amongst the stars as the constellationAuriga ("the Charioteer"), or else transformed into the god of the star which the Greeks called Phaethon--the planet Jupiter or Saturn. The name Phaethon means "the shining" or "radiant one," derived from the verb phaethô, "to shine."

3. What is the message or theme of this myth?

5. “They stumble that run fast.” • “…violent delights have violent ends, and in their triumph die…”

6. Consider the quotes on the previous slide from Act II, Scene iii.How is the author using literary devices to develop a theme?