This is a strange and provocative painting that evokes many feelings about literature, myth, legend and history. Certainly it would be the goal of someone in the field of metaphysics and Jungian interpretation to be acquainted with most of these figures as they are an outstanding cast of characters from the major myths, legends and stories of western European culture. In other words, these characters live in our collective unconscious.
This is
how the painting is described on the Rastko,
Russian website: The leading figure in the procession ... holding a lyre,
is Orpheus. He is followed by the goddess Semele, who, tricked
by the jealous Hera, demanded that her divine lover Zeus, the god of lightning,
appear before her in his true form, whereupon she was consumed by fire.
Behind Semele are Psyche and Cupid, and Sappho, the
poet of Lesbos. Sappho is followed by Francis of Assisi, a monk
who communicated with animals. Following St. Francis is Iseult
[Nancy's note: also Isolde), carrying the cup from which she and Tristan
will drink. Next is Elaine (from Arthurian legend), who carries
the shield of Lancelot, who spurned her love causing her to die
of her grief. Following her is Hugh of Lincoln, the boy saint who
died at the age on nine in 1255. Next come Aucassin and Nicolette,
two lovers from 12th century French tales. Behind them is the poet Dante
and above him his vision of Paulo and Francesco. Finally, Magia
Santi completes the procession, holding the hand of her son Raphael
who, with Michelangelo and Leonardo, was the youngest of
the creators of the High Renaissance. In the background Alcestis
is carried off to death (behind Semele), and Percival carries a
stave as he rides in quest of the Holy Grail.
This painting
by John Duncan (British, 1866-1945) is called A Masque of Love.
It was painted in 1921.The people in the procession were famous for their love lives and their legends and myths have shaped much of our collective consciousness about love , about falling in love and being in love.For example, when a girl comes to me for a reading about a guy and says that he treats her beautifully ... "He holds the door for me, is always on time, carries in the groceries, fixes things around the house ... but I jut don't love him. There's no passion" I think of Tristan and Isolde, the Celtic lovers who drank from a cup that caste a spell over them. When we expect love to drive us mad, to inflame us with passion and leave us breathless and sleepless with yearning, we are thinking of Tristan and Isolde and their hopeless love. You see, Tristan was sent by from King Mark's court go bring back Isolde, his betrothed. Tristan betrayed his master in becoming Isolde's beloved. This was a very bad sin for the Middle Ages. Thus, we connect sin, suffering, pain, ecstasy, madness and even spells and betrayal with our notions of romantic love .Another example of the outrageous in "love" is Semele. As you recall, Zeus, the king of the Greek gods was profligate, a philanderer. His wife Hera was a nag who followed him around everywhere, chiding him for his infidelities and often punishing the women he slept with or treating the children of these unions badly. In the case of Semele, she put the bug in Semele's ear to ask to see Zeus in his godhead. When he complied, this caused Semele to spontaneously combust. No mortal can behold a god in his godhead and lineaments offended the goddess Artemis and was condemned to death but Apollo had pity on him and made a bargain. When it came time for Admetus to die, he would be released if he could find someone who would take his place. When the time came, only his wife Alcestis would make this sacrifice for love.For some of the other famous love stories of western European tradition, click the links or try a search engine. Knowing these stories will build your understanding of how we became the way we are, why we treasure suffering and pain where love is concerned and why we sometimes think that to die for love is exalted. A good book
that explores the myth of romantic love in the western psyche is We:
Understanding the Psychology of Romantic Love by Robert Johnson.
THE MYTH OF FAUST
Mephistopheles
and Faust in his study
Dr. Faustus was a metaphysician in the Middle Ages who, legend has it, sold his soul to the devil. The most famous version of this story was a play written by Johann von Goethe called Faust. Part One was published in 1808, Part Two in 1832. The devil in this story was called Mephistopheles. Faust was a life's work for Goethe, spanning twenty four years. It is one of the most impotent literary works in European culture.
I wouldn't expect a stay-at-home mom with a high school education living in one of the most depressed areas in California to know this story but I had a surprise. Here is an example of how these characters live in our psyche whether or not we are aware of them. The goal is become more aware.One time I was leading a small class at a bookstore in National City, California. I had an eager group of students and we had a lively discussion about spirituality and life issues. A woman named Sally said her first husband had been responsible for the fact that her son now had no feet. She had divorced this man and married a kind and loving second husband. Together they cared for the son who was now an adult. They had been happy together but other things in their life took a bad turn a few years ago and she wanted to know why.
As I began to work with her, a voice said, "Tell her the story of Faust". I knew this was one of my Guides but I brushed it aside. I didn't think it would make me very popular to bring up a Medieval legend with that group. They had very pressing personal problems in the present moment. But the voice wouldn't go away. As Sally and I continued to talk, I kept hearing, more and more urgently , "Tell her the story of Faust."
So I asked Sally, "Have you ever heard of Faust?"
"No."
Sometimes my Guides make it difficult for me! LOL "Ok, Sally, well it's a guy from the Middle Ages who sold his soul to the devil. Have you ever heard of that story?"
"No."
"Well, the story starts that the devil approaches him and tells him he can have anything he wants in the whole world but if there ever comes a time when he says I'm so happy I wish things would never change, the devil has him, his soul, for all eternity, so to speak.
"That's just what happened to me, " Sally said. You could have knocked me right off my chair and this time it's my Guides who were laughing. "Right before all this started to happen," Sally said, "I was standing outside a restaurant. We were standing under the street light getting ready to walk in and I said to my husband, I'm so happy I wish things would never change."
We continued to have a great discussion as to why it's not a good thing to wish for time to stand still so this story had a happy ending.
I've heard many Jungians say that Faust is "the" central myth of European wo/man. Learn more about Faust ...
The Alchemical Drama of Goethe's Faust - an exceptionally well written website about the alchemical aspects of this great work of art.
Read Faust, translated by Walter Arnold Kaufmann
Christopher Marlowe's Doctor Faustus
Christopher Marlowe was a contemporary of Shakespeare who died very young. Some people even think they were one and the same.I've read Goethe's Faust in the original German and found him at least as gifted as Shakespeare and Pushkin. In fact, he is my personal favorite of the three.
