Diana, the Living Myth continued
Diana/Artemis in Greek and Roman Mythology
Diana frequently sought companionship
from women friends, and was portrayed artists as bathing alone or in the company of courtly nymphs who shared her way of life.
Watteau: Diana
at her Bath
http://www-lib.haifa.ac.il/www/art/bar/watteau_diana_at_her_bath_1715.gif
But Diana, tall and enchantingly beautiful, attracted male onlookers who would regret violating
her privacy. She was fiercely protective of her personal space and freedom.
The association between Diana and the wilderness - symbolic of her
untamed spirit, and her need to protect her own sanctity and that of
others, meant that she was threatening to men, whether she intended
to be or not. Those who attempted to curtail her freedom or to
invade her privacy were recipients of her wrath, which sometimes
unleashed circumstances that led to their own destruction.
When the hunter Actaeon intruded on her privacy, she shot her arrows at him,
then turned him into a stag. Now he, the hunter, became the hunted as his own dogs turned upon him and tore
him to pieces.
Galloche: Diana
and Actaeon
http://www-lib.haifa.ac.il/www/art/bar/galloche_diana_and_actaeon_1725.gif
Titian:Death of
Actaeon: Artemis shooting her bow
http://www.uvm.edu/~classics/slides/a65.jpeg
http://www.webcom.com/shownet/medea/bulfinch/graphics/diana256.gif
Those who restricted her freedom, inhibited her commitment to
her aims, or invaded her privacy were often recipients of her anger.
Diana, the nurturer, suffered in love, and at times unleashed
circumstances that led to the downfall of those around her. But
despite all, she persevered as protectress and defender of the
small and humble. Goddess of the Moon, brightening the night
sky, she illuminated the earth with her rays of light.
continue
ALSO ON THIS SITE:
Princess Diana Pages: Diana Tribute
The movie, The Queen (2006)
Greek Mythology resources
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Tracy Marks is a Boston area psychotherapist, spiritual
writer,
Internet trainer, and developer of Windweaver Web
Resources.
This page is http://www.webwinds.com/diana/diamyth3.htm,
Windweaver Web and Windows Training Resources http://www.windweaver.com
copyright 1997 by Tracy Marks Windweaver Arlington, MA. USA (781) 641-3371
Since April 3, 1997, you are visitor to Webwinds.
last update October 29, 2004