Depictions of Eros

Paper Summary:

This paper compares the sexual and mystical depictions of Eros found in "Pygmalion" to the more charitable and affectionate depiction found in "The Four Loves." The paper also discusses the contrast in motivation in the two works. It suggests that Pygmalion's primary motivation for action is platonic and sexual yearning. Lewis' motivation is charity. Finally, the romantic love of today is compared to the romantic love depicted by Ovid and Lewis.

From the Paper:

"Eros as Platonic yearning refers to the yearning for beauty. Ovid depicts this in Pygmalion who irrationally remains unmarried because he is critical of the faults he sees in women. He cannot find enough redeeming qualities in any woman to face spending his life with her. He then carves an ivory statue of a woman. This statue is so beautifully and perfectly made that Pygmalion falls in love with it. This is love based purely upon beauty, since the woman is not made of flesh and blood and can offer nothing else."

More papers on Depictions of Eros:

• Essay # 68193 : "Primary Styles of Love, Eros"
• Comparison Essay # 26523 : "Various Depictions of War"
• Analytical Essay # 131934 : "The Nature of Eros in Plato's "Symposium"

APA Citation:

MLA Citation: