Classical Sketch Book

The Birds by Aristophanes, an ancient Greek comedy.

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Pyramus and Thisbe by Gregorio Pagani

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Before Romeo and Juliet there was Pyramus and Thisbe. These two star-crossed lovers lived (according to Ovid's metamorphoses) in the ancient city of Babylon. Unable to marry due to their warring families they decided to run away together, arranging to meet in a secluded spot outside the city. Thisbe arrived first, but while she was waiting for Pyramus a lion stalked into view. Frightened Thisbe ran into a nearby cave to hide leaving the lion only her discarded cloak to maul. Later when Pyramus arrived, Thisbe was still hiding in the cave and all he found was her cloak ripped apart and bloody from the lion's teeth. Distraught and convinced that Thisbe was dead he stabbed himself with his dagger. 

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Leaving the cave Thisbe found her lover dying his last breath. Equally distraught she too took up the dagger and killed herself. 

Giorgio de Chirico, Ariadne, 1913

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Ariadne was the daughter of King Minos. When the Athenian hero Theseus came to fight the minotaur Ariadne instantly fell in love with him and gave him a ball of thread, advising him to use it to find his way out of the labyrinth. Victorious, Theseus left Crete with Ariadne only to later abandon her on the island of Naxos while she slept. The story has it that Ariadne awoke on the beach to see the sails of Theseus' ship disappearing from the horizon.

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Much have I travell'd in the realms of gold, And many goodly states and kingdoms seen; Round many western islands have I been Which bards in fealty to Apollo hold. Oft of one wide expanse had I been told That deep-browed Homer ruled as his demesne; Yet did I never breathe its pure serene Till I heard Chapman speak out loud and bold: Then felt I like some watcher of the skies When a new planet swims into his ken; Or like stout Cortez when with eagle eyes He star'd at the Pacific — and all his men Look'd at each other with a wild surmise — Silent, upon a peak in Darien.

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John Keats  (1795-1821)

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Hankered each day to see the Gorgon's head:

Till o'er a fount he held it, bade her lean,

And mirrored in the wave was safely seen

That death she lived by.

        Let not thine eyes know

Any forbidden thing itself, although

It once should save as well as kill: but be

Its shadow upon life enough for thee. (C 3:557)

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Aspecta Medusa by Dante Gabriel Rossetti