The jeweled castle of the dragon
Ogden, D
Date: 11 January 2024
Journal
Preternature
Publisher
Penn State University Press
Publisher DOI
Abstract
Five analogue narratives – from Apuleius’ Metamorphoses (‘Cupid and Psyche’, ii AD),
Philostratus’ Apollonius (c. AD 220), Callimachus and Chrysorrhoe (early xiv AD), Konrad’s
Saga (xiv AD) and the Theodore Tiron Miracle Story (xiv AD) – prove to be underpinned by
an ideal story-type along the following lines. A dragon lives in ...
Five analogue narratives – from Apuleius’ Metamorphoses (‘Cupid and Psyche’, ii AD),
Philostratus’ Apollonius (c. AD 220), Callimachus and Chrysorrhoe (early xiv AD), Konrad’s
Saga (xiv AD) and the Theodore Tiron Miracle Story (xiv AD) – prove to be underpinned by
an ideal story-type along the following lines. A dragon lives in a golden, jewelled castle,
almost impossible of access. It is surrounded by and infested by lesser serpents. Within it he
has a special raised platform, and he is served in it by automatic air-powered trays, tables
and vessels. He conceives a desire for human girl, steals her and keeps her captive. The
castle is penetrated by her lover-to-be, who kills the dragon and saves her, whereupon the
marvellous castle melts away. The theme of erotic desire travels with the story-type. Further
support is provided for the long-held suspicion that the Cupid and Psyche tale builds upon a
pre-existing traditional dragon narrative.
Classics, Ancient History, Religion and Theology
Faculty of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences
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