The Greek myth of the Fates’ prophecy - Iseult Gillespie

Prince Meleager and the Calydonian Boar: A Summary

Key Concepts: Fates (Clotho, Lachesis, Atropos), prophecy, Calydonian Boar, Meleager's fate, Althaea's dilemma, honor, rage, consequences.

1. The Prophecy of Meleager's Life:

• Meleager's birth was marked by a visit from the three Fates: Clotho (spun the thread of life), Lachesis (determined its length), and Atropos (cut the thread at death).
• The Fates prophesied that Meleager would live only as long as a specific burning log was not reduced to embers.
• Althaea, Meleager's mother, extinguished the fire and locked the log in a chest, safeguarding it as the key to her son's life.

2. The Calydonian Boar and the Hunt:

• Meleager's father, the King of Calydon, neglected to offer sacrifices to Artemis, the goddess of the hunt.
• Artemis punished Calydon by sending a monstrous boar with razor-sharp hairs, spear-like tusks, and lightning leaping from its mouth. The boar ravaged the land, destroying fields, herds, and people.
• Meleager assembled a team of renowned warriors to hunt the boar, including:
  • Castor (horsemanship)
  • Pollux (fist-fighting)
  • Acastus (javelin throwing)
  • Caeneus (impenetrable skill)
  • Amphiaraus (diviner)
  • Atalanta (Arcadian warrior, skilled wrestler, runner, and hunter)
• Atalanta's inclusion was initially met with resistance due to her being a woman, but Meleager vouched for her strength.

3. The Hunt and its Aftermath:

• The hunting party tracked the boar to its lair in the forest.
• The boar emerged, causing destruction and sharpening its tusks on trees.
• Atalanta struck the first blow, hitting a vulnerable spot behind the boar's ears with a perfectly aimed arrow.
• Amphiaraus lodged another arrow in the boar's eye, weakening it further.
• Meleager delivered the final blow, killing the boar.
• Meleager awarded Atalanta the boar's hide and head for her decisive first hit.

4. The Conflict and Meleager's Fatal Act:

• Meleager's uncles were angered that he bestowed the honor upon a woman and snatched the prize from Atalanta.
• In a fit of rage, Meleager killed his uncles.

5. Althaea's Revenge and Meleager's Death:

• Althaea, upon hearing of her brothers' deaths at the hands of her son, was consumed by grief and rage.
• Driven by a frenzied desire for revenge, Althaea retrieved the log from the chest and threw it into the flames.
• As the log burned, Meleager was engulfed by a strange agony, leading to his death.

6. Notable Quotes:

• The Fates' decree: Meleager would live "only until the burning log was reduced to embers."
• Meleager praised Atalanta’s first hit, and awarded her the boar’s hide and head.

7. Technical Terms and Concepts:

• Fates (Clotho, Lachesis, Atropos): Greek goddesses who controlled the thread of life, determining its beginning, length, and end.
• Calydonian Boar: A monstrous boar sent by Artemis to punish Calydon.
• Prophecy: A prediction of future events.

8. Logical Connections:

• The prophecy of Meleager's life is directly linked to the burning log, which Althaea safeguards.
• The Calydonian Boar hunt is triggered by the King's neglect of Artemis, leading to the conflict and Meleager's involvement.
• Meleager's act of killing his uncles is a direct consequence of his rage and the dispute over the boar's hide.
• Althaea's revenge is motivated by the death of her brothers, leading to the fulfillment of the prophecy and Meleager's death.

9. Synthesis/Conclusion:

The story of Prince Meleager is a tragic tale of fate, honor, and the destructive power of rage. The prophecy of the Fates sets the stage for a series of events that ultimately lead to Meleager's demise. The Calydonian Boar hunt highlights the importance of honoring the gods and the consequences of neglecting them. Meleager's impulsive act of killing his uncles, fueled by anger, triggers a chain of events that culminates in his mother's vengeful act and the fulfillment of the prophecy. The story serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of unchecked emotions and the inescapable nature of fate.