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Help[Opinions] Re: Iris
in reply to a message by Fiammetta
I love Iris! who - as Mirfak stated, is the Goddess of the Rainbow. She also seems to serve as messenger and assistant to Hera/Juno in Greek/Roman mythology. Rather than a mere subordinate to the higher goddess, Iris often conveyed her cunning craft to convince Hera of her own opinion, or even manipulate or alter her perception. These myths mostly concerned Hera's vengeance against the infidelities of Zeus / Jupiter--and imposing penalties upon the lesser goddesses or mortals--mostly victims of her jealousy due to his uncontrollable & ever unfaithful lust.
Here is a quotation from Ceres (as Goddess of Agriculture & Maternal Relationships) addressing Iris (as Goddess of the Rainbow) in Shakespeare's "The Tempest". I love this utterly beautiful text. Sorry for getting carried away here...
Hail, many-coloured messenger, that ne'er
Dost disobey the wife of Jupiter;
Who with thy saffron wings upon my flowers
Diffusest honey-drops, refreshing showers:
And with each end of thy blue bow dost crown
My bosky acres, and my unshrubb'd down,
Rich scarf to my proud earth; why hath thy queen
Summon'd me hither, to this short-grass'd green?
Then again, who would not be "carried away" when Ceres compares the "saffron wings" of Iris with a nurturing & nourishing scarf to Ceres' earthly garden!
Here is a quotation from Ceres (as Goddess of Agriculture & Maternal Relationships) addressing Iris (as Goddess of the Rainbow) in Shakespeare's "The Tempest". I love this utterly beautiful text. Sorry for getting carried away here...
Hail, many-coloured messenger, that ne'er
Dost disobey the wife of Jupiter;
Who with thy saffron wings upon my flowers
Diffusest honey-drops, refreshing showers:
And with each end of thy blue bow dost crown
My bosky acres, and my unshrubb'd down,
Rich scarf to my proud earth; why hath thy queen
Summon'd me hither, to this short-grass'd green?
Then again, who would not be "carried away" when Ceres compares the "saffron wings" of Iris with a nurturing & nourishing scarf to Ceres' earthly garden!
This message was edited 4/2/2016, 5:03 AM
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...Further Literary Reference
Here is a conversation between Juno & Iris from Ovid - formatted into Handel's Opera "Semele" - with text written by William Congreve; note the relationship between the Goddesses. Sorry if my enthusiasm seems excessive. To me this reference and the Shakespearean reference in the former response would encompass mere parts of the living heritage "Behind the Name" 'Iris'.
Juno
Iris, impatient of thy stay,
From Samos have I wing'd my way
To meet thy slow return.
Iris
With all his speed not yet the sun
Through half his race has run,
Since I, to execute thy dread command,
Have thrice encompass'd sea and land.
Juno
Say, where is Semele's abode?
Iris
Look, where Cithaeron proudly stands,
Bœotia parting from Cecropian lands.
High on the summit of that hill,
Beyond the reach of mortal eyes,
By Jove's command and Vulcan's skill,
Behold a new-erected palace rise!
Here is a conversation between Juno & Iris from Ovid - formatted into Handel's Opera "Semele" - with text written by William Congreve; note the relationship between the Goddesses. Sorry if my enthusiasm seems excessive. To me this reference and the Shakespearean reference in the former response would encompass mere parts of the living heritage "Behind the Name" 'Iris'.
Juno
Iris, impatient of thy stay,
From Samos have I wing'd my way
To meet thy slow return.
Iris
With all his speed not yet the sun
Through half his race has run,
Since I, to execute thy dread command,
Have thrice encompass'd sea and land.
Juno
Say, where is Semele's abode?
Iris
Look, where Cithaeron proudly stands,
Bœotia parting from Cecropian lands.
High on the summit of that hill,
Beyond the reach of mortal eyes,
By Jove's command and Vulcan's skill,
Behold a new-erected palace rise!
This message was edited 4/2/2016, 3:14 AM
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