Daphne and Apollo

Republic of the Philippines
CAVITE STATE UNIVERSITY
DAPHNE AND APOLLO
Apollo's first love was Daphne. It was caused by Cupid's hatred, not by
happenstance. Apollo, the god of poetry and light, saw Eros—now known as Cupid—
handling his bows and arrows. Bows were used by Eros to woo people into love. Apollo had
just defeated the terrible earth-dragon Python, who lived near Delphi. He was so conceited
about his triumph that he advised Eros to stick to his own hobbies and leave the use of
weapons for battle to powerful gods like himself, undervaluing his responsibility to inspire
others with love and passion. This enraged the brash Eros, who made the decision to exact
revenge on Apollo. Positioning himself atop a Parnassus rock, he withdrew two arrows, each
with a distinct function—one to arouse love and the other to repel it—from his quiver. The
latter was blunt and had a lead tip, while the former was made of gold and had a ship point.
He struck the river deity Peneus’ daughter, Daphne, with a leaden spear and the golden
Apollo, striking him in the heart. The god immediately fell in love with the maiden, even
though she detested the idea of being in love. She enjoyed games in the woods and the loot
she would find there.
Despite his devotion, she consistently turned down the gorgeous Apollo. Despite his
persistent entreaties and threats, she continued to turn down the love of the magnificent
Apollo. She hated every other man who was pursuing her in a similar way. It's told that the
attractive man Leucippus was so determined to win Daphne over that he dressed like a girl
and socialized with her. But his cunning was discovered by the nymphs, who then killed him.
Daphne’s father often tell her that she owe him a son-in-law and grandchildren. But
she, hating the thought of marriage as a crime, with her beautiful face tinged all over with
blushes, threw her arms around her father’s neck and ask him to grant her favour of
remaining unmarried like Diana. He consented, but at the same time said that her face will
forbid it.
Despite being a clever oracle, Apollo was not shrewd enough to check his own luck.
He liked her bare hands and arms when he saw her lovely, messy hair, brilliant eyes, and
smooth lips. Despite his best efforts, she quickly left after he followed her. Apollo assured
her that his intentions were pure love, and that he was not her enemy. He told her that since
he was the source of her suffering, she shouldn't fly him like a lamb or a dove. Jupiter's
father, Apollo, was lord of Delphos and Tenedos and neither a buffoon nor a sultry peasant.
And his arrows were true. He was the god of singing and the lyre. But an arrow that was
more deadly than his had entered his heart.
As the deity of medicine, he was aware of the benefits of every therapeutic herb.
Regretfully, he had an illness for which there was no remedy.
His cry was only partially heard as the nymph carried on with her flight. She also
enchanted him as she ran away. Her clothes were tossed about by the wind, and her untied
hair fell free behind her. The god became agitated at being rejected despite his courtship,
and Cupid helped him overtake her in the race. It resembled a dog chasing a rabbit, its
mouth wide out to grab, as the weaker animal scurries ahead, evading the dog’s reach. In
this manner, the deity and the virgin flew—she on the wings of fear, and he on those of love.
However, the faster one follows and closes the distance, blowing her hair with his
heaving breath. When she is about to drown, her power gives out and she calls on her
father, the river god, for assistance in opening the earth to surround her or changing the
form that has put her in danger. Apollo was astounded by her transformation. Hardly had she
spoken when a rigidity gripped every limb; her breasts turned into delicate bark; her hair
turned into leaves; her arms transformed into branches; her foot became immobile like a
root; her face transformed into a treetop, retaining nothing of its former self but its beauty.
He put his hand on the stem and felt the young bark trembling beneath the skin. He
gave the wood a lot of kisses and hugged the branches. The branches withdrew from his
mouth. When she transforms into a tree, Apollo swears to use her as his crown, adorn her
harp and quiver, and weave her into wreaths for the Roman invaders. She will never wither
and will always be green because she is eternal youth. Now that it was a laurel tree, the
nymph bent its head in thanks.

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Republic of the Philippines

CAVITE STATE UNIVERSITY

DAPHNE AND APOLLO

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